An autumn election?

Sir, – PG Wodehouse while in Hollywood in the 1930s identified three categories of hanger-on invariably attached to important personages. They were, in descending order of importance, yes-men, second yes-men or vice-yessers, and nodders – the latter being strictly forbidden from speaking.

So as an election looms, and as a distraction from the earth, moon and sun-like promises being dispensed by whatever politician happens to be on screen, why not try instead to categorise as above the assorted goons crowding around the “big enchilada” and hanging on his or her every word as if their very lives depended upon it.

Yours, etc,

MICHAEL KIRBY,

Dublin 14.