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Nigel Farage’s Political Obituary Is Being Written Far Too Soon. Here’s Why

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Westminster loves nothing more than a bit of groupthink.

A settled view on a particular issue can quickly become established fact in SW1, even if there is plenty of evidence that it may be wrong.

The most recent example is the growing belief that two-party politics will return in time for the next general election.

This is not an outlandish idea, given the most recent trend in the opinion polls.

It is undeniable that Labour has enjoyed a Burnham bounce since the former mayor of Greater Manchester replaced Keir Starmer as party leader and prime minister.

A crossover point was reached earlier this week when, for the first time in 18 months, Labour overtook Reform UK in the poll of polls.

This has coincided with a steady decline in support for Reform amid the ongoing controversies over the financial arrangements of both Nigel Farage and his party.

At the same time, Kemi Badenoch’s Tories have been enjoying a modest uptick in support, while the Green Party have also gone into reverse following a series of mis-steps by their leader, Zack Polanski.

A YouGov poll seemed to confirm this trend on Thursday when it revealed that Reform and the Greens have fallen to their lowest favourability ratings to date.

Burnham becoming PM has coincided with a leap in support for Labour.
Burnham becoming PM has coincided with a leap in support for Labour.

via Associated Press

Some political commentators have therefore concluded that the next election will once again be a straight fight between Labour and the Conservatives.

However, leading pollsters have told HuffPost UK that it is far too early to assume that British politics will simply return to the way it has always been for most of the last century.

Indeed, Chris Hopkins, political research director at Savanta, said a return to two-party politics “feels like something of an impossibility”.

He said: “In almost all opinion polls conducted since Andy Burnham became Labour leader, five parties have achieved 10% or higher.

“The top two – more often than not, Labour and Reform UK – tend to combine for around 50% of the overall vote share.

“This is a far cry from recent general elections, especially 2017 where the Conservative and Labour combined for a whopping 82% of the overall vote.

“Of course, if British politics has taught us anything over the last few years, it’s that the fortunes of political parties can change very quickly, so you can never rule a return to two-party politics out.

“For now, only the Greens feel at risk of losing ground, probably to a rejuvenated Labour Party, but Reform UK don’t feel like they’re going anywhere while Nigel Farage is at the helm.”

With Farage certain to return as MP for Clacton next Thursday with a thumping majority – albeit having only defeated Count Binface and a variety of other minor political figures – the chances of him shuffling off the political stage appears remote.

Indeed, the signs are there that the Reform leader is preparing to come out fighting in an attempt to wrest back the political momentum from Burnham.

Keiran Pedley of Ipsos UK said “we should be careful not to overstate the return of two party politics”.

“Reform are still ahead of the Conservatives for now,” he pointed out. “The Greens and Lib Dems have a significant presence in some parts of the country and nationalist parties are in power Scotland and Wales.

“It may well come to pass that the next election ends up as a mainly Labour vs Conservative affair, but we should caution against jumping to that conclusion too soon.

“To announce the return of two party politics having declared it dead a few months prior feels somewhat premature.”

Badenoch has won praise for her performance as Tory leader, but the events of the past week have seen her criticised.
Badenoch has won praise for her performance as Tory leader, but the events of the past week have seen her criticised.

via Associated Press

The Tories’ mini-renaissance under Badenoch, who has won praise for her performance as leader in recent months, threatened to come off the rails this week, however.

Her decision to stand by a former neo-Nazi chosen to stand as a Conservative council candidate in Somerset sparked a furious backlash and baffled many senior Tories.

Joshua Bonehill-Paine eventually stood down, but was appointed an adviser on anti-radicalisation by Badenoch, a decision which led to fresh outrage.

This was followed by the announcement that the party would evict 230,000 non-EU foreign nationals from social housing, and ban newcomers from gaining such tenancies.

Coming on the back of Badenoch’s decision to remove the party whip from Gavin Barwell and block the likes of Grant Shapps from standing as candidates, it seems clear that she wants to take votes from Reform.

Moderate Tories believe she is making a huge mistake.

One senior figure told HuffPost UK: “Her strategy appears to be to hope that Reform implodes/Farage walks away and then pick up the pieces.

“The reality is that there’s a solid populist vote of 20% that will be very hard for the Tories to reach and the cost of doing so would be to alienate the majority of the electorate. With Labour moving leftwards on the economy, a big opportunity is being lost.”

Cameron Garrett, deputy director of research at the More in Common think-tank, said: “Our politics is increasingly volatile, and it’s too soon to be heralding a return to the two-party system.

“Kemi Badenoch’s personal approval rating has risen dramatically in recent months, but it has yet to lift her party’s fortunes. And while Burnham has seen a bounce, it’s too early to tell whether it will last.

“Voters will need to see real, tangible change before they’re willing to return to the political mainstream for good.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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I Asked A Therapist For The Signs A Couple’s Headed For Divorce

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According to research conducted by Dr John Gottman and Dr Julie Schwartz Gottman of the Gottman Institute, there are four “horsemen of divorce”: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.

And Susie Masterson, a BACP-registered therapist, told HuffPost UK that warning signs of divorce aren’t usually as simple as issues like financial problems or different life goals.

“I have seen couples overcome lots of challenging situations including: infidelity, unemployment, family estrangement and critical illness,” she said.

Here, she shared what she thinks can make the difference between couples who may be likelier to stay together and those that might split.

How can a therapist tell a couple may be headed for divorce?

“Compatibility is not just about liking the same things or shared values; it’s about how we respond to challenges,” Masterson said.

She stated that couples often come to therapy during transitions like moving in together, changing jobs, having kids, or battling illness.

“Our responses to these transitions often highlight differences which might otherwise not have been apparent,” the therapist added.

For instance, many couples have financial disparities that might not be visible until e.g. someone loses their job.

But “Whilst many couples file for divorce citing financial challenges, it’s usually not that simple. When I speak to couples, it’s the differences between the response to these challenges that cause the relationship to break down.

“Successful relationships are predicated on a balance between power, respect and connection,” she explained.

“To be in a relationship with someone requires investment. We need to meet each other wherever we are. We all change. Just not at the same time or at the same pace. Tolerance is key to being able to manage this.

“In my experience, relationships break down when one or both parties are not willing/able to do this. This is often due to competing needs in a situation, where it becomes difficult for any concessions or compromises to be made.”

How can I tell if I’d be happier divorced?

That’s not to say that tolerance and compatibility should be forced in a situation that isn’t serving you.

Masterson pointed out that all relationships go through cycles of rupture and repair. And “Sometimes, when we have been together for a long time, the accumulated impact of this can wear us down”.

It’s also possible that past hurts have gotten swept under the rug, in which case, learning how to heal from them should take priority. “Even if it doesn’t keep us together, it is a brilliant skill to learn as [we need] to be able to model this for our kids. It will also help us in future relationships.”

Ultimately, she ended, “It’s equally important to recognise that not all relationships can go the distance. Before making the decision to separate, it can be really helpful to fast forward to a preferred future and ask questions like: what will be different, how will it feel, who will be in my life, where will I be, what will I be doing?

“Then pause and reflect why any of these preferred outcomes are not possible within the relationship. When you have this clarity, it can help with self-trust and empowerment to commit to a certain course of action.”

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A Doctor Says ‘Stress Sweat’ Smells Different – Here’s How To Spot It

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Did you know that our eyes make three types of tears – basal tears, which lubricate our peepers, reflex tears, which respond to stressors like onion fumes, and emotional tears?

Well, it turns out our sweat might take different forms depending on whether it comes from stress or a workout.

“When you’re exercising or sitting in a hot environment, your body mainly produces sweat to cool itself down. This comes from eccrine sweat glands, which produce a watery sweat that’s mostly made up of water and salt,” Dr Asiya Maula, a private GP at The Health Suite, told HuffPost UK.

“Stress is different. When you’re anxious, nervous or frightened, your body’s ‘fight or flight’ response kicks in.

“This activates a different type of sweat gland called the apocrine gland, which is found mainly in the armpits and groin.”

How can I tell eccrine vs apocrine sweat apart?

It can be hard to tell them apart, Dr Maula said. But stress, or apocrine, sweat has a different texture: this “contains more proteins and fatty compounds, making it thicker than the sweat produced during exercise”.

Additionally, “stress sweat” might have a more intense odour.

“Stress sweat itself is actually almost odourless when it’s first produced. The stronger smell develops when bacteria naturally living on the skin break down those proteins and fats,” the GP explained.

“That’s why many people notice stress sweat has a much more noticeable odour than the sweat they produce after a run or a gym session”.

Of course, context helps – “If you suddenly notice damp palms before a presentation, sweaty underarms during an important meeting or increased sweating while you’re feeling anxious despite not being physically active, stress is likely to be playing a role.”

But the speed of onset might matter too, Dr Maula said.

“People often describe stress sweat as appearing very suddenly and affecting areas like the palms, soles of the feet and underarms, even when the room isn’t particularly warm.”

What does stress sweat mean?

Well, aside from meaning that you’re – you guessed it – stressed, the doctor said occasional apocrine sweat is nothing to worry about.

But “if you’re finding yourself sweating excessively during everyday situations, or you notice it’s becoming more frequent alongside symptoms such as poor sleep, constant worrying, palpitations or feeling on edge most of the time, it may be a sign that your stress levels are becoming difficult to manage”.

That’s worth speaking to your GP about, she said.

How can I stop stress sweat?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to stop stress sweat in the moment.

But if you want to try reducing your stress levels overall, Dr Maula said you can try “Regular physical activity, good quality sleep, limiting excessive caffeine, mindfulness techniques and breathing exercises can all help reduce activation of the body’s stress response”.

And, she ended, “For people whose sweating is particularly severe or affecting their quality of life, there are also medical treatments available, so it’s important not to suffer in silence”.

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Scientists Found 4 Signs Of The Ideal Pillow For Your Back, Neck, And Sleep

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Most adult Brits struggle to get a good night’s sleep; as many as 14% of us get by on “dangerously low” levels of shut-eye, regularly catching less than five hours of kip a night.

Meanwhile, about two-thirds of us will experience neck pain at one point or another, while almost 80% of us will get back aches.

Worse, back and neck pain can make your sleep worse, and insomnia may increase your perception of discomfort. Talk about a vicious cycle.

So, it’s a good thing a systematic review of studies has found four pillow qualities that might help with all three.

What should I look for in a pillow?

This research analysed 11 studies, with 309 participants in total. The study authors wanted to evaluate the quality of evidence for the benefits of different pillow materials, heights, shapes, and thermal (heat) properties.

They found “moderate evidence that some of the following pillow parameters could improve sleep quality/spinal alignment, and decrease sleep-related neck pain”.

These include:

  1. Latex material,
  2. A contoured design (a dip in the middle of the pillow with higher sides, especially useful for side sleepers),
  3. A height of 7-11cm for the lower, middle part of the pillow,
  4. A cooling surface.

Latex pillows seemed best at reducing neck pain, while a contoured pillow with a 7-11cm high centre helped to keep sleepers’ spines in alignment.

Meanwhile, cooling pillows have been associated with more deep sleep than their non-cooling counterparts.

The researchers added that people should try to “consider as many of the above-mentioned parameters as possible when choosing a new pillow that fits their individual needs of promoting sleep comfort”.

Which pillows seemed to perform the worst?

Another review of studies found that, generally, feather pillows tend to perform worse than rubber or spring pillows.

And a separate 2011 paper also suggested “feather pillow users provided consistently low reports of pillow comfort and sleep quality”.

But your sleeping position matters here.

For instance, those who sleep on their side might have to put their neck at an uncomfortable angle if they’re using a softer pillow, while front or back sleepers could push their head further out of alignment if using a very stiff one.

That’s why, researchers note, it’s important to factor in your individual comfort level.

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Electrical Failure Causes Widespread Rail Disruptions: What We Know So Far

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Major rail disruption has taken place following an electrical failure in the Manchester Rail Operating Centre communications centre.

National Rail said on its site that the issues began just before 2pm on 6 August and are expected to last “until the end of the day” in the Greater Manchester/north-west of England area.

The BBC reports we don’t yet know what caused the issue, how severe it may be, or how long it will last.

Here’s which train lines may be affected, and what each have said, as of the time of writing:

What has National Rail said?

In a statement, it warned of “major disruption for the rest of the day due to power issues impacting signalling”.

The service added: “Currently no trains can run from Manchester Piccadilly through to Manchester Victoria and Bolton, impacting services right across the North West network.

“Some trains are running south and east of the city towards Stockport, but are also subject to delays.

“As a result, cancellations are expected on rail routes across Greater Manchester until the end of today (Thursday 6 August).”

If you’re travelling by train today, check with National Rail or your train line first.

Which lines have been affected?

Per National Rail, lines affected by the signal issue include:

  • Avanti West Coast,
  • CrossCountry,
  • East Midlands Railway,
  • London Northwestern Railway,
  • Northern,
  • TransPennine Express,
  • Transport for Wales.

What have these lines said?

This is what each line has said as of the time of writing. (Advice is subject to change, so check in regularly before travelling.)

TransPennine Express’s site reads: “All trains will be stopped due to a failure of the communication systems on the network”, adding there is “major disruption and no trains or replacement buses are operating, and we strongly advise you not to travel”.

Transport for Wales said “train services between Chester and Liverpool Lime Street are also disrupted” and trains “will not be able to run until the electrical supply has been restored”.

It added: “We have organised buses to run between Liverpool Lime Street and Chester to help you complete your journey, at no extra cost. These will arrive at 15:30 at Chester provided by Patts Coaches and arrive at Liverpool Lime Street at approximately 15:30 provided by Northwich Travel.” These arrangements will last until 6pm.

Northern’s site says there are “major disruptions” across various routes, adding, “due to failure of the electricity supply at Manchester Piccadilly all lines are blocked”. It said this is expected to last until the end of the day.

Esst Midlands’ site said: “There is a failure of the electricity supply around the Manchester Piccadilly area. This is currently disrupting our trains on the Liverpool Lime Street/Nottingham/Norwich routes.” The company added: “Our services are unable to run between Sheffield and Liverpool Lime Street until the end of the day.”

London Northwestern Railway’s site lists “major problems” from services via London Euston, from Euston to Crewe, from Crewe to Stafford, and services via Birmingham New Street.

And Avanti West Coast’s site reads: “This Friday, we’re seeing some short-notice cancellations on our network, so please check your journey before you travel. We’re really sorry if this affects you and your journey, but we’re working hard to make sure we can minimise these cancellations.” Its site has a section to help you find out your live train status.

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Trump And Burnham: A Budding Bromance Or A Disaster Waiting To Happen?

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“Terrific.” That was the word Donald Trump used to describe Andy Burnham this week.

It’s a far cry from the belittling way the US president played down the prime minister’s past job in Greater Manchester by calling him a “mayor of a town” just last month.

Clearly their one and only conversation over the phone on Burnham’s first day in No.10 won Trump over. So could a bromance be brewing?

The president appears to be delighted over what he saw as the PM’s more open-minded attitude towards drilling in the North Sea.

Keir Starmer refused to expand fossil fuel extraction on Trump’s instruction when he was in power while Burnham has vowed to take a “more pragmatic approach”.

The president also loves a winner, and Burnham is still popular within Labour and the wider country right now – while Starmer became the most unpopular PM on record.

However, like Starmer, Burnham is bound by Labour’s 2024 manifesto not to issue any more oil and gas exploration licences.

That means any expansion of the North Sea will likely fall short of Trump’s hopes of “opening up” the whole area.

The PM has avoided talking about the president at length so far, but claimed he won’t be afraid to call him out when he feels it is necessary.

He also refused to say he trusts the president during a BBC interview, though he did invite him to Manchester.

Burnham is perhaps wise to be cautious.

He would not be the first UK prime minister to eventually incur Trump’s wrath over domestic policies – even if they started out on the right foot.

Trump fell out with Theresa May over her “foolish” approach to Brexit, calling her EU deal a “disaster” – despite initial warmth between them.

Boris Johnson was described as “Britain Trump” by the president himself, but they faced some frictions over Chinese company Huawei’s involvement in Britain’s 5G network.

Starmer, initially described as the “Trump whisperer”, bent over backwards to appeal to the president, even inviting him for a historic second state visit to the UK.

But they came to blows over the former PM’s refusal to get involved in the Iran war.

They also clashed over immigration, Nato, Greenland, tariffs, wind turbines and North Sea drilling, meaning they were barely on speaking terms when he left office.

And Burnham – at least, for now – is further to the left than any of those three predecessors, meaning the Republican president is even more likely to disagree with him.

The prime minister’s decision to appoint Ed Miliband as foreign secretary might also be a major obstacle in their relationship.

There is allegedly “genuine anger” at that decision due to Miliband’s opposition to North Sea drilling.

The Trump administration has reportedly nicknamed him “Miliwatt” already in an apparent dig to his enthusiasm for net zero.

The UK-US relationship may also be put to the test when, as is expected, Trump’s domestic power diminishes when his American supporters turn on him during the US midterms.

That could mean Burnham – if he is still propped up in the UK polls – might be more outspoken if he believes the president looks weaker.

Alternatively, Trump could turn on the prime minister as soon as his honeymoon period is over.

In this week’s Commons People, we look at whether this really could be a strong alliance – and unpick all the potential pitfalls which could undo their relationship altogether.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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Blow For Badenoch As Former Neo-Nazi Quits As Tory Candidate After Backlash

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A former neo-Nazi has quit as a Conservative candidate following an angry backlash.

Joshua Bonehill-Paine was due to stand for election to Somerset council.

But he announced he was standing down following a backlash from Jewish groups.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who had defended Bonehill-Paine, has made him an adviser on radicalisation to the party’s Culture and Integration Commission.

Bonehill-Paine was jailed for more than three years in 2015 after posting anti-semitic material online ahead of a planned neo-Nazi rally.

The following year, he was found guilty of racially-aggravated harassment of the Jewish Labour MP Luciana Berger.

He has since recanted his previous anti-semitic views and now works with the Home Office on anti-radicalisation programmes.

In a post on X, Bonehill-Paine, creator of the satirical Crewkerne Gazette, said: “The last 24 hours have shown that a lot of people do not understand how terrible I feel about the things I did when I was much younger.

“I know that my previous actions continue to cause pain in the Jewish community. I had thought that getting involved in my local council and working hard for my community was a good way to show how much I have changed and that I want to give something back.

“I realise now that the fight against anti-semitism is something that I actually need to do more of, I need to show the Jewish community how much I regret my previous actions and how hard I will work to fight to help destroy anti-semitism and rebuild trust.”

He added: “While I cannot change my past, I can warn others away from the same destructive path. I know how this ideology works because I lived inside it.

“I also know that if I stand as a council candidate, other political parties will spend all their time focusing on my past rather than the work I’m doing today, or even fighting anti-semitism in their own midst.

“Rather than standing as a local council candidate, I believe that my experience is better used supporting Kemi Badenoch in her ongoing mission to combat the anti-semitism and extremism that is dividing our nation.

“I have therefore informed the party of my decision to withdraw from next year’s council election.”

Badenoch said: “While I am sad that Joshua feels he won’t be given the space to explain his position and represent his community, I am glad he is going to work with me and the party on tackling radicalisation as part of our Culture and Integration Commission.

“If we are going to stop extremism and anti-semitism we are going to need help from those people who were part of the problem, but have now changed and are being part of the solution.

“Piling on them and trying to get them cancelled may be sport for other parties, but this is a different Conservative Party.

“Sometimes there will be difficult judgement calls, but right now I know that we are the only party actively working to unite the country rather than one particular faction or other.”

A Reform UK spokesman said: “It beggars belief that Kemi Badenoch has hired a former neo-Nazi.

“Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a self-professed fascist who has been jailed for publishing antisemitic material, will now have a say over national Conservative Party policy. This is alarming news for the Jewish community in Britain.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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5 Ways To Help Hedgehogs In The Heat After Charity Issues Urgent Plea

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During one of this year’s earlier heatwaves (and there have been many), the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) issued an “urgent plea” for us to provide water for thirsty wildlife.

They noted that this is especially key given a 2022 report that found rural hedgehog populations have shrunk by somewhere between 30% and 75% since 2000.

Recently, a hedgehog rescue centre told the BBC they’d been “inundated” with baby hedgehogs following very dry and hot conditions in the south-east of the UK.

Speaking to HuffPost UK, Fay Vass, chief executive for BHPS, noted: “As our climate continues to change and become more extreme, it poses new dangers and challenges to our native wildlife.

“Scarcity of water sources is a common problem for wildlife and long spells of drought only serve to make this worse. Small mammals can easily become dehydrated and having access to fresh, clean water can mean the difference between life and death for hedgehogs.”

So what should we actually do to make their summers more bearable?

1) Place shallow dishes of water where hedgehogs can reach them

During very hot weather, hydration is key for hedgehogs and other wildlife.

“Placing shallow dishes of clean, fresh water around the garden is a simple, easy step we can all take that will provide a lifeline for hedgehogs and other wildlife during hot, dry spells,” Vass said.

2) Keep some of your garden wild

You might have taken part in “no-mow May”, a scheme which sees gardens grow wild across the UK.

This has been linked to greater biodiversity. And according to the Vass, the practice can help animals long past May too.

“Allowing sections of the garden to be wild and overgrown is important… as this can offer much-needed shade, shelter and a natural food source,” she said.

Additionally, “leaving log piles and leaf piles in quieter corners also offers valuable shelter and places to forage for grubs, worms and other natural food” year-round.

3) Put out some cat or high-meat dog food in a clean dish

It’s not just about water. “Hedgehogs can struggle to find enough food when the ground is hot and dry,” said the expert.

“Putting out some high-quality meaty hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food or dry cat biscuits to supplement their natural diet can provide a vital lifeline for hungry hedgehogs during the hot summer months,” she added, stressing it’s important to make sure their feeding dishes and areas are kept clean.

4) Create a wildlife pond

Though its benefits might be felt especially keenly in summer, Vass said this is one of the best ways to support animals no matter the weather.

“Creating a wildlife-friendly garden with features such as a gently sloping pond provides a reliable year-round water source and encourages insect prey,” she advised.

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about how to make your own with an old washing-up bowl.

5) Make sure hedgehogs have a way into your garden

Again, this is just as important in summer as it is in winter. “It’s vital to make sure hedgehogs can access your garden” said the expert.

Check with your neighbours if you share a fence, and if it’s OK with everyone concerned, consider creating “13x13cm gaps in fences or walls to allow them to move freely between gardens and green spaces”.

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Um, Where Have All The Wasps Gone This Summer?

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We don’t want to give you more to worry about as we are being smacked in the face with the impacts of climate change this summer but, uh, have you noticed that there are far fewer wasps this year?

Come to think of it, I have seen one. In a train station. Once. I have a busy garden full of flowers and flourishing grass but I’ve not seen a single one of these little guys buzzing around out there this summer.

I’m not imagining it, either. Seirian Sumner, a Professor of Behavioural Ecology at University College London wrote for The Conversation and said: “As a wasp biologist, I’ve noticed it acutely, because my students need wasps for their experiments, and we simply can’t find them.”

Can’t find wasps? In summer? In England?!

The weather seems to have played a part in wasp population decline

Sumner explains that while Spring started well for wasp populations, providing ideal conditions for building nests, laying eggs and foraging, things soon took a turn for the worse, leading to conditions that could have been harmful.

She says: “Spring 2026 was strange: the warm, dry start should have been good. Warm, dry spring weather improves a nest’s chance of survival as it ensures a good nectar supply for the queen to develop her ovaries and good prey populations for her to feed the brood. But we experienced unprecedented heat for the time of year, punctuated by cold, damp days and followed by unexpectedly chilly nights.

“Such weather extremes may have caused queens to abandon their nests or die, reducing the initial spring queen bounty to a more modest population.”

Very grim.

She added that one heatwave after another won’t have helped matters, either.

We really do need wasps

I’m not the biggest fan of wasps and will admittedly completely freeze if one is near me but there is no doubting how important they are to our environment.

According to the National History Museum: “Without wasps, the world could be overrun with spiders and insects. Each summer, social wasps in the UK capture an estimated 14 million kilograms of insect prey, such as caterpillars and greenfly. Rather than being a pest, these important insects are a gardener’s friend.”

Additionally, scientists at Oregon State University say: “Even though [wasps] don’t collect pollen, they do visit flowers constantly to seek nectar for their own energy.

“As wasps visit these flowers, they inadvertently transfer pollen from plant to plant. Although this is a less efficient form of pollination, it is still quite impactful to our ecosystem.”

Let’s hope they reappear next year.

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How I Met Your Mother Actor Shares Why His Character Was So ‘Toxic’

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Neil Patrick Harris, who starred as Barney Stinson in the smash-hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother, has opened up about his character’s “toxic” traits in an interview with The Times.

The 53-year-old became a household name after playing a rich womaniser in the CBS show, which was nominated for 28 Emmy Awards during its 2005-2014 run.

Fans have gone so far as to call his on-screen persona “an extreme womaniser, chronic liar and toxic manipulator”.

Speaking to The Times, Harris was asked about the “toxic” traits of his character.

Pointing out that the show’s entire story is narrated by the show’s protagonist Ted Mosby (played by Josh Radnor and Bob Saget), the sometime magician said: “None of the behaviours [in the show] are, you know, certified, or even true.

“So I had the freedom to be much more lascivious, much more ridiculous and overt than I imagine Barney probably actually was.”

He added that Barney “was always the devil on Ted’s shoulder”.

Barney in How I Met Your Mother
Barney in How I Met Your Mother

Earlier this year, Harris said in an episode of the behind-the-scenes podcast How We Made Your Mother that he’d often felt “insecure” playing the swaggering part and was worried he didn’t “nail” his scenes.

But, he added, “that insecurity absolutely played into the bravado” required.

“I’ve always felt Barney was kind of broken,” he explained.

“He wore armour. The suit was armour. He hid sincerity and vulnerability behind bravado because that’s how he survived.”

Neil also previously discussed reprising his role with Hilary Duff, who starred in spinoff How I Met Your Father, suggesting he wouldn’t play Barney again unless he seriously changed his ways.

“Barney’s antics, his overt delusions of grandeur, would likely get everyone in trouble. So, unless he’s changed his ways or joined a nunnery (insert an insert joke here), not sure if it’s in anyone’s best interest,” he said in his Wondercade newsletter, to which Hilary replied: “I’m pretty sure Barney would… be in jail in 2022.”

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