The Punch and Judy show conducted between Edinburgh's International Festival and the Fringe is always part of the drama of the world's biggest arts festival. In fact, it often seems staged. It's like a tabloid version of all the antagonisms in society: David vs. Goliath, The People vs. The Hoity-Toities, Populism vs. High Art, The Proles vs. The Bourgeoisie, even, most absurdly, The Rich vs. The Poor.

However, this year it seems as if Punch and Judy have really got nasty with each other. The Edinburgh Evening News carried a front page story on Tuesday reporting that the festivals were on the verge of a complete split, and the story was followed up yesterday by The Scotsman.

What has happened is that the Fringe board of directors decided at the weekend to repeat this year's experiment, and start a week ahead of the International Festival again next year. Apparently the punters start baying for shows from the beginning of August and the Fringe wants to cater for that demand; it also likes the idea of getting itself established for a week before the "main" festival kicks in.

Apparently, the International Festival's director, Brian Mc Master, is unhappy that the Fringe plans to pull away from his festival, and is suggesting running the International Festival in September. "Brian did not like the staggered start", explains the marketing and public affairs director of the International Festival, Joanna Baker.

However, whether Brian likes it or not, there seems to be hardly anyone voicing approval for his plans. Edinburgh's Lord Provost, Eric Milligan, said yesterday: "As chairman of the Edinburgh Festival, I would be concerned to see an end to the two events running side by side. We have to be alive to the impact of the festivals together. There are other great festivals in the world, but with the International Festival, Fringe, Book Festival, Film Festival and Television Festival happening together, there is nothing like Edinburgh in August.

How right he is, and how pathetic it is that people still can't seem to agree when they are running the world's most successful arts event and attracting a million visitors to their city annually.