In future, all Whitehall interns must come from working-class backgrounds, says Pat McFadden, the Black Country MP and PM's right-hand man.

If only the scriptwriters of Yes, Minister had thought of it first. We could have had Jim Hacker installing a pigeon loft in Downing Street, Sir Humphrey being made to walk his whippet in a flat cap and muffler, and young Bernard scoffing his face with pork pie and jellied eels. It would have been comedy gold.

My initial thought on hearing about the plan was what the criteria for defining 'working-class' would be. Will there be an official list of preferred regional accents? Will graduates be asked whether they say 'napkin' or 'serviette'? Khazi or loo? Maybe there will be an entrance exam, testing candidates' knowledge of soap operas and the pasty range at Greggs.

*****

Sadly, it's nothing so creative. Would-be interns........

© Shropshire Star