Back to reality

The violence in London, and elsewhere, has masked the extent to which share prices are in freefall following the growing turmoil across the Eurozone, and the downgrading of America’s credit rating.

The financial crisis is so acute that Chancellor George Osborne conceded, while holidaying in the United States, that he would need to unveil a new growth strategy this autumn – a tacit acceptance that he needs to modify his deficit reduction strategy as the UK’s growth rate stagnates.

By then, it could be too late. And, while the coalition has pointedly played down any links between rioters and youth unemployment, Ministers clearly need to redouble their efforts to nurture a new generation of jobs.

Yet, given how so many political and economic events are conducted in the public gaze, and how MPs now embrace social media platforms so they can provide an instant commentary, is it right, in the 21st century, for Parliament to have such elongated holidays?

Without Mr Cameron’s intervention, the House of Commons would not have been sitting from July 20 until September 5 when MPs reconvene for nine days prior to another adjournment to accommodate the party conferences.

This is no longer acceptable in modern times. It is even more unacceptable when the country is in such turmoil and with so much for policy-makers to contemplate – whether it be the economy or a breakdown in the rule of law.