Finally, finally, someone is doing something about the people who blast videos, music and speakerphone conversations across public transport.

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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a new crackdown on antisocial behaviour, including playing loud audio on public transport. I’m going to call it Fogarty’s Law. I’ve fought long and hard for this, often against people who have told me I’m being ridiculous.

I’m not being ridiculous. If you play your phone loudly on a train or bus, seemingly oblivious to everyone around you, you are being rude. And, yes, I’m going to call you a phone numbskull.

I once spoke to a woman who was genuinely shocked that I considered playing your phone loudly on a train as rude as relieving yourself in the carriage. She seemed to think I couldn’t possibly be serious.

I was serious. That is how intrusive I find it.

Imagine trying to read, get some work done or enjoy a quiet coffee on your way to the office, only to have someone’s videos blaring into your ears. Or perhaps you have finally managed to get your child to sleep, only for the person opposite you to start playing music at full volume.

Why should everybody else have to put up with that? Buy some headphones. They aren’t particularly expensive.

To be clear, I’m not against people making phone calls on trains. A normal conversation is one thing. A loud, booming voice that carries across three carriages is quite another. There is a difference between using public space and behaving as though you own it.

I recently encountered a young man on a train who was smartly dressed, with a wonderfully deep........

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