We enjoy preparing articles for April 1st each year.

Our “LDV and AI – a new venture” was, as usual, near the knuckle. The AI tool’s name of “Packed” had our esteemed Party President wondering out loud as to whether he should trade mark his name.

In an example of reality reflecting farce, our team editor Mark has now revealed that the article he wrote on Monday morning was in fact AI generated. This went unnoticed by all. Well, it did seem a bit verbose!

In other April 1st news, Christine Jardine MP circulated a draft early day motion as follows:

EDM – The Auld Alliance

Dear colleagues,

I would be grateful if you would show your support for my EDM to mark the long-standing connections between Scotland and France:

That this House recognises Christine Jardine MP has a surname of French origin; celebrates this European etymology which is a reminder of our ties to the continent and our shared history; acknowledges, particularly in the UK, that words can often be spelled one way and pronounced another, and calls on all those she works with across the House to adhere to the old pronunciation of Jardine and pronounce her surname Jar-Din, rather than Jardeen.

You can sign directly on Memberhub by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/edm-france-scotland.

Best,
CJ

-One wonders how many MPs actually went as far as enjoying the amazing voice of Rick Astley…

Elsewhere, commercial media departments went into April Fool overdrive with the announcement of a “sail-thru” fast food restaurant at the end of Southend pier, the launch of the “Henry Express” train service which spring cleans as it travels along the line and a new “Eau de Guano” fragrance made out of bat faeces from Wookey Hole Caves etc etc.

It’s all gone a long way since the days of the Spaghetti trees on BBC TV’s Panorama in 1957.