Rt. Hon. Tub of Lard MP
But instead of making polite excuses - the programme makers took their revenge by replacing the Right Honourable MP - with a 'tub of lard' on the basis that said 'tub' would make a perfectly adequate stand-in for the absent politician.
So Paul Merton and the Tub of Lard where alone left to do battle with their opponents - Ian Hislop and Tony Slattery - on the news quiz programme which - rather incredibly - they won against all the odds!
I was reminded of this as I watched some of the debate in the House of Commons yesterday - over Europe and the Eurozone - which the Deputy Prime Minister declined to attend - Nick Clegg being absent from his usual seat next to the Prime Minister - David Cameron.
Ironically, the reason for Nick Clegg's absence was that he was allegedly angry about the Prime Minister's stance over Europe - effectively accusing him of trying to negotiate with other European partners - via an empty chair.
So the Deputy PM tries to make his point - by employing exactly the same tactic he is criticising - which just makles Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems look completely daft.
So if I were Nick Clegg, before other MPs start taking tubs of lard and empty chairs into the debating chamber - to help illustrate their points - I would resolve to stand and face my political opponents in future.
Because running away just makes you look pathetic and weak in the eyes of the voters - even if you have to put up with lots of teasing and party political point scoring - that's your job.
Meantime here's the You Tube link to that Tub of Lard and HIGNFY: http://youtu.be/Kmys4LH9jTE
