What a time for our MPs to go on holiday

IS it possible our egotistical MPs have forgotten we are in the midst of perhaps the greatest constitutional crisis since the Second World War?

Why, less than 48 hours ago the Prime Minister scurried cap in hand to the EU, pleading for help to break the stifling Brexit impasse.

In the small hours of yesterday, European Council president Donald Tusk deigned to give the UK – supposedly a proud sovereign nation – a six-month extension, adding condescendingly: ‘Do not waste time.’

So how did our representatives (who, remember, had begged for a delay to avoid a No Deal departure) respond? Did they roll up their sleeves and set to work thrashing out a deal that could command support?

Of course not! Sitting in the Commons, these political pygmies awarded themselves an immediate 11-day holiday.

Like schoolchildren, they cheered and waved their order papers in the air, gleeful at the prospect of skiing trips or sunbathing on tropical beaches. Frankly, if it wasn’t so serious it would be laughable.

Outside the self-regarding Westminster elite, millions were acting in the national interest, grafting to keep the economy ticking along. Those with jobs, families and mortgages must bang their heads in despair at these out-of-touch dilettantes.

Through wars, disasters and austerity, citizens have put the country first, working long hours and eschewing holidays.

Politicians must learn that lesson fast. The public won’t tolerate MPs who are less interested in enacting our biggest democratic mandate than topping up their tans.