Off with their heads!

Michael Meacher, the Environment minister, has decided on enforced "mediation" between neighbours at war over leylandii hedges. Then, when this mediation inevitably breaks down, local authorities will be empowered to step in and chop down the offending plants.

Michael Meacher, the Environment minister, has decided on enforced "mediation" between neighbours at war over leylandii hedges. Then, when this mediation inevitably breaks down, local authorities will be empowered to step in and chop down the offending plants.

In his dogged way, Mr Meacher has been one of the surprising successes of this government. But these leylandii proposals are a fudge too far. What will mediation achieve except delay action while the monsters climb relentlessly higher? Mr Meacher should set a limit - say 15 feet - and ruthlessly cull any that exceed it.