In the words of the legendary Noddy Holder, IT’S CHRISTMAS!!!

I love everything about this time of year: angels playing in the snow, logs atop the Christmas tree, kids on the fire. And everyone struck down with wintry viruses.

Still, it’s Saturday so I’ve dragged my flu-ravaged self from my sickbed to bring you 2007’s penultimate Something for the Weekend.

Under the tree today: Christmas comes early for Nick Clegg; Christmas comes too late for Queen Victoria; Santa breaks the news that Steve Webb doesn’t exist; and more!

» Good Week

After racking my brains for literally seconds, I came to the conclusion that Mr Nicholas Clegg has probably had a pretty good week.

In case you missed the news, the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Hallam has been elected as Leader of the Liberal Democrats. As well as the power of life and death over all of us, his prize includes a reunited party, a good seat for Prime Minister’s Questions, a dedicated (in both senses) staff, and a nice little maisonette in the Palace of Westminster.

» Bad Week

It’s been a bad week for Queen Victoria, who lost her crown as oldest monarch on Thursday afternoon. After a hard life ruling half the planet, she did until this week at least have solace in the knowledge that her 81 years and 243 days would earn her a place in the Guinness Book of Records. But the current HM has now ousted her own great-great-grandmama to become the oldest British monarch of All Time.

Queen Vic does, however, still hold the record for the longest reign, although QE2 is due to move up the table on March 5, when she overtakes Henry III (remember him?) to move into third place. (Hat-tip.)

» Also in the news

Miss France faces call to resign over “suggestive” photographs. The BBC reports that “one of the pictures shows her licking yoghurt provocatively”. I can hear them setting up the guillotine now…

In the running for best headline of the year: Woman catches fire during hemorrhoid operation. (Hat-tip.)

» The big questions

Which former Leader of the Liberal Democrats was spotted at the announcement of Nick Clegg’s victory making bunny ears behind the head of another senior party figure?

Which Lib Dem MP was heard to declare that they’d be very happy with a majority as big as 511?

» Technology at work

As soon as Vince Cable announced the leadership election result on Tuesday, the party texted members to tell them. As a wave of beeping passed around the function room where the announcement was being held, it was clear that many members present hadn’t put their phones on silent. Another strike against conformity…

» Facebook groups of the week

Ryan Cullen‘s group Steve Webb is real!, set up in response to Facebook’s suspension of Steve’s account on the grounds that he didn’t exist, grew rapidly this week, but, as is the way of these Web 2.0 things, it’s already defunct as Steve has been reinstated.

In a swipe against The X Factor comes the group Make The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl- Fairytale of New York Christmas Number 1, which, to explain the cryptic name, aims to make the Pogues & Kirsty MacColl’s Fairytale of New York Christmas Number One via downloads from iTunes. (It’s currently second on the iTunes Top Songs chart.)

» Coming up

Wind up your wirelesses:

• Sunday: The party’s new public services team leader David Laws on The Westminster House, BBC Radio 4
• Monday: New DBERR shadow Sarah Teather will be on Five Live around 12.30pm

» And finally…

Baby, it’s cold outside – so I’ve picked a Christmas track full of Californian warmth. Look, YouTube plays vinyl now!

Merry Christmas!

* Something for next weekend? Drop us a line at [email protected]