Peter Rhodes on mind readers, dog-sniffing and what happens if people reject our voting system?

The blindingly simple answer is that all of us won't. Globally, about 70 million people will die in 2023. In the UK alone about 600,000 Brits will pop their clogs.

But on closer inspection, the feature is not about life and death at all. It's merely a platform for assorted celebrities to give daffy tips for a better life. (e.g. “Visit a car showroom,” - Eamonn Holmes). I was particularly struck by a celebrity chef advocating a “sniffari” by tracking your dog through the park and following wherever they sniff. Come to think of it, that could become a life-and-death event. You sniffed what . . ?

In a new survey by a think tank, 46 per cent of voters say the £100 billion HS2 should be scrapped. Our grandchildren, landed with a tax-gobbling white elephant which is unwanted, un-green and unaffordable, will assume the other 54 per cent were sleeping

Meanwhile, another polling organisation reports that so many voters are 'don't knows' that the Conservatives, despite trailing Labour by 20-plus points, might yet win the next General Election. This is hailed as good news for the Tories. Think again. I can't recall a time of such social division with so many people feeling the system is stacked against them.

At a time of such friction, with young, left-leaning families growing increasingly irritated by a system which favours the old and generally right wing, what happens if millions decide the electoral process itself is broken beyond repair and that fairness can no longer be found in the ballot box? I fear that if the people elect the Tories yet again, this country could become ungovernable.

Meanwhile, we have The Traitors (BBC iPlayer) the befriend-and-betray game, to keep us sane, or at least sane-ish. So far we have learned the very valuable lesson that some people have an uncanny ability to “read” other people and know who is lying and who is telling the truth. The strange thing is that the moment they reveal this great gift, the mindreaders fall flat on their faces. Can't think when I've laughed so much.