Leading Article: Hero Today, gone tomorrow?

Poor old Today programme. Off they go, John, Jim and Sue, in all innocence seeking their listeners' favourite person of the year. And what happens? First, cynical Labour know-nothings try to rig it. And then (which, we ask, is worse?) John Major wins. Cry foul! Are we really to believe that the middle-aged middle classes prefer Mr Major to a whole bevy of moral heroines? Women who saved children, fought for gun laws and democracy, survived disaster? No chance.

So here's a suggestion for the new editor of Today. Scrap the poll next year. Choose your own favourite, or get a group of estimable and non-partisan female judges to do it for you. After all, we're going to have enough of Messrs Blair and Major in 1997 to last us through a thousand Boxing Day breakfasts.