We have a pantomime politician to fill every role on the stage

THE panto! It was always one of the best parts of Christmas, though perhaps never to be the same again now that Maureen Potter is no longer here.

But I can still remember the excitement, the noise, the anticipation when the orchestra started tuning its instruments.

In honour of the memory, I'm instituting the first Annual Political Pantomime Awards. With a cast of hundreds, and storylines you couldn't invent, it's been a fascinating year. And the great thing is, nearly all the leading pantomime characters were represented.