In Ireland the economic downturn is the worst for a generation, unemployment is rising and the political class is trying to ram the rejected Lisbon Treaty down the electorate’s throats on October 2. So last week was a perfect time for them to go on holiday until mid-September.

In Westminster the political class disappears this week.  No taxpayers will be harmed by Guido’s holiday for a month in France and he will be back before the MPs to hound those going on taxpayer funded “fact-finding” missions to the Carribean.

This year, as in previous years, the blog will be sporadically updated during the holidays (though remember the year when Guido revealed John Prescott’s long term mistress over a glass of rosé from the maison secondaire).  The ensuing media malestorm did not amuse Mrs Fawkes.  Guido has promised no scoops will disturb us on the beach and that the Blackberry will be consulted only sporadically.