Jacqui Smith, former economics teacher, may now be the minister of state for schools but she sticks to the simple life. On telly, it’s TheX Factor and Life on Mars. For her Easter holiday, it’s a caravan park in north Wales with her husband and two school-age sons.

Just as well for the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, who are sending a car to drive her to Gateshead to address their Easter conference next Wednesday. Think of the expense of fetching other members of the Government from their hill villages in Tuscany or retreats in Cape Cod.