But where's the moral compass?

Things you never thought you'd know. Pandora in The Independent reports:

Gordon Brown has not had much of a spring in his step for the past 10 days, but it is not for want of trying.
I hear that the Prime Minister recently splashed out almost £300 on a bulk order of socks: the thick, ribbed, long, comfy type, to cushion your soles from days spent standing up.
Last month he bought 20 pairs of "Navy Sea Island" cotton tootsy warmers, at £14 a set, from the outfitters Charles Tyrwhitt. All in his preferred jet black.
Rather than visit its Jermyn Street store or send a minion, Gordon shopped online and got the consignment delivered to his Scottish home in Kirkcaldy, Fife. He has done so every six months or so for the past two years, because he "loses his socks very quickly", apparently.

A touch extravagant? Perhaps, even careless?

Furthermore, while we are letting it all hang out, what about First Minister Salmond's sock habits? I'm betting that he's an M&S man, but we deserve to have it confirmed.