ALISON ROWAT’S

might ask. The answer, of course, is Donald Trump. Mr Trump, in style and deed, has coarsened political discourse. Things one never imagined a US president saying or doing in public have been said and done. See Tweets and dispatches from constantly gobsmacked reporters for examples.

But now, it seems, even Mr Trump is getting with the politeness programme. Following the sending of pipe bombs to highprofile Democrats and Trump critics, he has appealed for more civility in public life. Surprise, surprise, he blamed the press for driving down standards. “The media has a responsibility to set a civil tone and to stop the endless hostility and constant negative and oftentimes false attacks and stories,” he told a rally.

Given his constant slating of the press, his praising of Congressman Greg Gianforte for physically attacking Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs (“My guy!” he called the Republican), and the way he encourages supporters at his rallies to turn on the media, the presidential advice on civility was like being lectured by King Herod on childcare, but every little helps and all that.

We can all agree that more politeness is a good thing, but is puritanism a step too far? Should we say to heck with being straitlaced and throw the doors open to more canoodling on Strictly and wall-to-wall buttocks in Sunday night dramas? Puritanism, after all, has too often been a cover for hypocrisy. If we said one thing while doing another we would be as open to criticism as Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne who said people on benefits should only have two children. She herself has six, and has claimed child benefit for each of them.

Stuff puritanism, then, stick politeness where the sun don’t shine, and let’s see some “Whoa, Nelly!” in that Viennese waltz.