Is there actually anything wrong with such a fraternity? Whilst it would be wonderful for government to operate upon a solely egalitarian basis, in reality the nature of the system demands a condensed group of individuals who can delegate political strategy across Westminster.

It was 24 October 1961 that old Etonian Tory Prime Minister Harold Macmillan faced Labour's leader Hugh Gaitskill across the dispatch box in the first session of Prime Minister's Questions.

Suddenly and graphically, the public are made aware of how thinly stretched the police are in the face of unexpected challenges.

If politicians, whoever they might be, want to take some time off to go to the cricket we shouldn't point fingers at them, we should applaud them and be thankful that the smug killjoys haven't killed off every last pleasure afforded to those who give up private lives for public service.