How dare they tell us savers not to panic

Just for once, let's hear it for the man in the street. More specifically, for the prudent and attentive citizens queueing outside branches of Northern Rock, or filling in forms from other lenders to transfer tax-free accounts. Some of the men-in-the-street may have gone a bit far, like the doughty spirit who barricaded a manager into her office because she wouldn't hand over his million quid on the ground that it was an internet-only account. But given that the fragile Rock's website had crashed under the weight of traffic, he had a point. And he had a right to make it: it was his money. No, salute the queuers for their nerve, patience and admirable impermeability to patronising advice.