Did you know that in 2009, more than 3000 new laws were passed in the UK?

No, of course you didn’t.

If you want to know how many have been passed since then, look it up yourself. I’ve done my bit.

Despite the fact we’re knee-deep in laws, rules and regulations, millions of people around the world believe we British live in some sort of ‘demi-paradise’ – to quote Shakespeare.

Not that he ever quotes me. And you can quote me on that!

People flock here because they have an idealised vision of our country.

While we’re blessed with freedom of speech, the freedom to roam and the freedom to grow and compete in business, those who arrive here legally or otherwise soon get a reality check when they realise 98% of us don’t live in country mansions a la “Downton” or Canary Wharf apartments and that the streets of Wales aren’t paved with gold – with the exception of certain areas of Morriston.

They soon encounter the myriad problems we have here, not the least of which is, we’re not the most united nation in the United Nations.

Certain political parties have their own vested interests in separating the countries that make-up Great Britain.

Further schisms are created by religion, the reluctance of certain minorities to integrate with the rest of the population . . . and football supporters whose devotion to their particular team makes it abundantly clear that ‘fan’ is derived from ‘fanatic’.

If you think I shouldn’t include sport alongside serious topics like politics and religion, you’ve never been caught between two rival groups of football supporters on match day.

The number of new laws being introduced on a weekly basis is verging on the ludicrous.

The latest one is the ban on smoking in cars.

I realise why it was brought in, but I think it’s draconian and unenforceable.

And I don’t smoke!

The way things are going, in 10 years time, devoted smokers (‘nicotine-agers’) will be banned from lighting-up in their own homes and only be allowed to indulge in their habit inside purpose-built shelters at the bottom of their gardens.

And in 20 years, smokers will be ostracised from society in the way drug addicts are now, hanging around on street corners waiting for a dealer to come along with 20 ‘Players’ and a box of matches.

When that happens, you’re free to quote this prediction from October, 2015.

Who needs Shakespeare?