Smoke gets in your eyes

‘EURO VEGAS’ ambitions are behind the suggestion by Esperanza Aguirre (pictured) that smoking should be allowed in Madrid Community casinos and bingo halls.

But with 78 per cent of Spaniards rejecting changes to existing anti-tobacco laws, smoke-filled salons are more likely to be a turnoff than a draw.

The government knows that smoking is a no-no, too: it’s a long time since Mariano Rajoy has been seen cigar in hand.

A matter of opinion

OLIVER WYMAN, one of two consultancy groups brought in to assess Spanish banks, pronounced the failed Anglo Irish Bank “the best in the world” in 2006.

If Spain’s banks get the thumbs-up everyone will drag up the over-confident pronouncement on the Irish bank.

If they get the thumbs down, everyone will agree they always knew this would be the outcome.

So why bring in consultants at all?