LONDON: Having declared the London Olympics a success after Sunday night's glittering ceremony, Britain's political elite on Monday promptly took off for their annual holiday, marking the beginning of the 'silly season' that extends from August until early September.
Both PM David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg reportedly left for Spain on Monday morning, leaving foreign secretary William Hague in charge in London. Considered a minor British institution, the 'silly season' is the time when most of Britain seemingly comes to a halt. Most top newsmakers - politicians, bureaucrats and journalists - are on holiday, a period when not much happens and when inconsequential, funny and quirky stories are passed off as news in the British media.
But as they packed bags and took off, many must hope that unlike last year, this year their holiday is not rudely interrupted again. In August 2011, the 'silly season' had proved too short-lived as riots broke out in England. During the 'silly season', journalists scour for funny stories to fill pages with - egg fried on hot pavement, cow falling from cliff-top into caravan, no one appearing to be running the country, among others.
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Labels: World
