Albion's Seedlings

Quite a sketch!

Mark Steyn and PJ O'Rourke, in addition to their ability to marshall facts quickly, share a sharp, incisive wit that slices through the inanities of politicians and other foolish people.

I'd like to introduce another writer in the Anglosphere who has a similar talent for writing funny columns about serious subjects. Americans may not be familiar with the Parliamentary sketch writer - columnists who cover Parliament and write a - usually weekly, but sometimes more frequent - report on some of the more important, or telling, debates.

The most successful sketchwriters are not only familiar with Parliamentary procedures, but have the measure of most of the players. Wit, an ability to sketch a picture quickly and accurately, with a measure of cruelty, are what the British public requires in its Parliamentary sketch writers. Ann Treneman is one such. She writes for The Times.