Street-Porter suggests that alternative health practitioners should be licensed.

The Government wants more regulation of GPs, splutters the hideous celebrity, so why not the reiki and crystal-healing brigade?

The answer’s simple, Janet.

Britain is run by control freaks who can’t abide anything to be left alone, so we tell the retentive bottoms brigade that they’re out of luck this time.

Please, please don’t encourage them.

Nevertheless, as such notions appear to be catching on, I have a suggestion – why not extend such logic to politicians?

Yes, I know we elect them, but once in power they tend to go their own sweet way.

This being the case, it might be a good idea if they were subjected to sixmonthly appraisals to ensure promises are being kept and not quietly shoved down the back of the lobby room sofa.

It’s a brilliant idea, even if I do say so myself