BATTLE OF THE BULGE: PART 221

Dear Sirs,

Whilst our noble president struggles with a bout of gastritis at the G20 Jamboree at Bali-hai (that special mountain? Shades of

South Pacific!), the voluble veep strikes out on her own, promising the faithful a dose of hope at her home town of La Plata.

Trouble is, we’re currently rather short of ‘la plata’ and populism without shekels ain’t much fun. Inflation remains virulent, reserves are scant, we’re experiencing a very severe drought and Super-minister Sergio Massa likens himself to Joe, the plumber on board the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Twould be funny if it weren’t so tragic.

Ah, but the World Cup is about to commence. For the next 40 days, everything else takes a back seat! ‘Vamos, Argentina !!!! ’

David Parsons,

via email