If you want to concentrate deeply on some problem, and especially some piece of writing or paper-work, you should acquire a cat. Alone with the cat in the room where you work. . . the cat will invariably get up on your desk and settle placidly under the desk lamp. . . The cat will settle down and be serene, with a serenity that passes all understanding.
I admire [Alex] Salmond in many ways but my problem with him has always been this independence thing within the EU, which is rubbish.