Alright, let's not get in a tizzy ...
Trying to avoid it [politics] is like trying to avoid death - or taxes
Sorry to disappoint you, but I have no problem avoiding politics as a rule. As far as this forum goes, I follow, and occasionally contribute to, topics concerning the enjoyment, operation and history of railways in the west, but avoid conscious involvement in anything "political". If anyone tries to put a political slant on anything I have said, then that says more about their mentality than it does about me. As far as politics in the wider world goes, all I will say is that I know where the "off" switch on my radio is. This attitude gets up the nose of those who try to tell me I should endeavour to Engage With The Political Process, but that is their problem.
I don't see why non-transport political discussion should be censored
No-one is advocating censorship. It seems odd to me that someone should want to talk politics on a railway forum (or on a gardening forum or a cooklng forum for that matter), but I have no wish to prevent any political enthusiasts of so doing. But I do think this particular topic has been rather clumsily shoe-horned into an inappropriate section of the forum, rather than into a separate "politics" section.
This current section, let us remind ourselves, is entitled "Who's who on Western railways". That does rather suggest that the focus will be on the role those people play on the railway; however there is no reason not to take an interest in any other notable areas of their lives - I hope that having started the topic "Transport secretary - on subjects beyond transport", the list of those subjects will be long and fascinating. Is he an expert on ancient Greece? Does he play a mean game of chess? Does he have a model railway in the attic? I would hate to think that this Grayling chap is just another of those rather dim, boring politicians.
I thought carefully before posting on a main board thread
Oh, for goodness sake, don't be so pious! You wanted to start a discussion on this tedious subject, so you thought you would inflict it on this forum.
Well, that is all I have to say on the subject. If I am not banned, then I may continue to make the odd contribution on other subjects.