Today's Quote

"One of the ironies of communism was of course that it was one of the most hierarchical ideologies. All men are equal, but some are more equal than others, as George Orwell famously put it. One of my flashback memories from the 1980s was the sight in the rear view mirror of a black Mercedes or a black Volga (depending perhaps on whether it was full or candidate member of the Politburo) flashing its headlights to make you pull over and clear the way for the VIP to be rushed on his journey (and it always was a he not a she in those days).

24 years on, it is depressing that the same phenomenon exists: big black cars (often 4x4s these days), flashing headlights, and drivers that think one rule applies to them and another for the "ordinary people". These are usually the same cars that overtake on blind stretches of road, drive at excessive speed through villages, and queue jump at traffic lights by getting in the wrong lane. Except this time the drivers of this type are not the political elite, but the leading figures from the "grey economy" to put it kindly. Or mutri to put it less kindly. Before I face libel actions, let me emphasise that I am not saying that all drivers of big black cars are mutri. And, before someone accuses me of hypocrisy, I must also admit that red plated diplomatic vehicles sometimes sink to the same level, which is inexcusable.  But I hope you understand the general point that I am making."

The British Ambassador to Bulgaria Steve Williams speaks as he delivers a farelwell speech an event organised by the Atlantic Club in Sofia on Monday. The speech was titled "7 years in Bulgaria: Some reflections" and concerned his work and life in Bulgaria during his two postings - 1984 - 1987 and 2007 - 2011.

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