A light-hearted look at our MPs' life in Westminster.

Janet Anderson has upset her fellow ministers by saying they should spend their holidays this year in Britain to help repair the tourism industry after foot and mouth.

Colleagues who prefer warmer climes on the continent or in the United States -- were shocked when the Rossendale and Darwen MP said they should be saying "We're not going to Tuscany -- we're off to the Lake District." And she said Tony Blair, a fan of Italy's Chiantishare, should be "setting an example and holidaying in Britain."

The Prime Minister's office said he had no intention of leaving Westminster during the Easter recess because of foot and mouth but said: "I should not think summer holidays have crossed his mind."

Tourism Minister Mrs Anderson was unrepentant saying: "I always take one major holiday in Britain and several short breaks. I shall be doing so this year."

But the MP -- famous for saying before the election that women would have more sex under Labour -- declined to preach to her colleagues over precisely when they were allowed to go abroad and was coy about her next overseas holiday.

Meanwhile, Blackburn MP Jack Straw was somewhat ungracious to his Tory Shadow Ann Widdecombe. She was grumbling away at the Home Secretary at her seat in the Commons, when Speaker Michael Martin reprimanded her for being "bad tempered -- very tempered indeed."

Mr Straw said: "She is bad tempered every day Mr Speaker, but we all get used to it." It is a bit like the weather. Life would not be the same without her feted mutterings, for which we have come to show so much affection."

Later, during a debate on elections, he was accused of "Draconian" legislation.

Mr Straw denied this saying the adjective came from the Athenian magistrate Draco, who "introduced capital punishment for virtually every criminal offence." This caused Tory right wing hard man Eric Forth to mutter: "An excellent man."

Mr Straw surprised many liberals of his own side, by saying this was "Not a tradition I have sought to follow."

Burnley MP Peter Pike has had a miserable week starting with Blackburn Rovers thrashing his beloved Clarets 5-0 on Saturday. He compounded his problems by missing three delayed votes in the Commons.

This is particularly embarrassing as he was one of the people who led calls to defer late night votes to the middle of the following afternoon.

Shame-faced he had to go and confess to his Whip. Sadly for him, that was Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, a life-long Rovers fan.

After Mr Pike apologised, a gloating Greg remarked: "It's all right Peter. I just assumed you was still in shock after Sunday's match."