LOOK, I don't want to go about stirring up apathy, but sometime in the next two years or so there will be an election. Don't take my word for it - ask press mogul Rupert Murdoch.

The first cuckoo of the electoral spring was heard recently when Mr Murdoch indicated his newspapers could switch allegiance from Labour.

The arrival of a new Tory leader, who swept into office through a banging door on a dark and stormy autumn night, possibly with swirls of dead leaves curling round his feet, has given Mr Murdoch a chance to flex his muscles, or maybe to crack his fingers menacingly.

The mogul's papers, especially the top-selling Sun, are courted by both main parties, who see the Murdoch press as critical in winning an election.

This supposed power lies in the boast "It was the Sun wot won it", made when the tabloid congratulated itself for keeping the Tories in power. Mr Murdoch then switched allegiance, backing New Labour at the last two elections, which were landslides for Tony Blair.

Now Mr Murdoch has indicated his newspapers may throw their weight behind the Tories. Partly because Michael Howard looks like a better bet than the last hopeless incumbent and partly it is a spot of press baron mischief making.

Think what devious fun it must be to sprinkle a few words into the Westminster pool and then sit back to watch the bloody feeding frenzy.

Mr Murdoch's antipathy towards Europe is well known - so much so that it's a wonder he can bring himself to fly over the place when he returns to the United States. So his Euro-loathing could be a reason to part company with Blair and side with Howard.

Let's be fair to Mr Murdoch (and even media moguls with more money and influence than is good for them or us deserve a hearing). His words were guarded: "It's a long way away, let's see what the Government is doing with Europe, let's see how Mr Howard performs, how the Government performs."

One thing did puzzle me, however. This was Mr Murdoch's comments on the EU constitution. He said he didn't "like the idea of any more abdication or our sovereignty in economic affairs or anything else".

What blessed confusion lies in that use of "our". Still, I suppose the average Australian-American media mogul must occasionally become befuddled about where he lives.

Tony Blair should be worried by all this. Not because the Sun can turn elections round. Rather, it is the sense that Mr Murdoch has worked out what people in the country are thinking.

Mr Murdoch's true power may not be in influencing elections but simply putting a finger into the air and divining which way the wind is blowing. It seems to have crossed his mind that it might he blowing away from Tony Blair.

THE ice-rink at the Eye of York sounds like a great idea. Although you won't find me risking a bruised bum, this temporary festive attraction set me thinking. After the official thumbs-down for Coppergate II, debate continues about how to use this part of York. I've always backed the open space brigade.

Yet a new notion occurs. Why not forget the usual York reticence and do something really radical. How about our own version of the Eden Project?

A tasteful glass dome filled with tropical plants from around the world would be a real attraction. A lot more enchanting than yet more shops.

Updated: 11:04 Thursday, November 20, 2003