Read more:The king alas a few years later was executed on a cold day, about midday, on my birthday. Alas, the Labour government under Tony Blair destroyed for me the place I at times spent my birthday at, thinking about Cromwell and history. Imagine if serious work had gone into the Putney Debates opposite the Premier Inn where I spent my 80th birthday. Buy from your local Big Issue vendor every week – and always take the magazine. Thank you for standing with Big Issue vendors.