Politics in Wonderland

If ever proof were needed of how far out of touch with reality and, more importantly, us, the people, our politicians really are then this weekend has provided it in spades - spades being the only thing with which to clear the snow in some areas of the land.

We have Geoff Hoon, former defence secretary, bringing those silky skills to Transport where he tells motorists to stop whingeing and blames them for the chaos on our roads for not investing in snow chains - we all know where we would like to wrap his snow chains.

Then, while the US caps executive pay and the taxpayer looks on aghast as banks soak up our cash like sponges while planning huge bonus payments with, you guessed it, our cash again, Harriet Harman's main concern seems to be why women in the City have not been allowed to stick their powdered snouts in the trough as much as the men - demanding equal shares in the obscene excesses.

Next Jaqui Smith is claiming £24,000 a year or so of yet more of our money - more than most people earn - for the house where her husband and kids live as an allowance as a "second home" while she claims her main residence is staying with her sister in London.

Finally we discover that the Big Lottery Fund is doling out the cash almost four to one in favour of projects in Labour held constituencies. The board of the BLF, of course, are appointed by a Government department.

And they wonder why turnout is dropping faster than house prices when it comes elections . . .