Readers may recall Hester recently calling for all MPs to show just how enthusiastically they were following the Buy Bermuda Campaign - and to declare in the House any Christmas goodies they purchased overseas.

Well, if the example of Premier is anything to go by, Hester is not surprised by the wall of silence that greeted her request.

Returning from her all-important mission to the Bahamas last week, Hester's spies at the Airport spotted our exhausted-looking leader staggering through customs.

No, Madam Prem hadn't taken advantage of the complimentary in-flight Asti - she was loaded down with presents picked up during her brief stopover in New York.

Hester understands that Madam Prem even had a roll of Christmas wrapping paper sticking out of one of her bags!

Perhaps the Prem thought she was doing her bit to help US/Bermuda relations but Hester feels her time would be better spent improving relations with Island storekeepers.

@EDITRULE:

Still on the subject of Buy Bermuda, Hester this week received a Christmas card from bigwigs at the Bank of Bermuda. While Hester appreciated the thought, she couldn't help but notice that the card was sold in aid of Save the Children - a UK charity. Did the bank's CEO pop across the pond for his Christmas purchases, Hester wonders?

@EDITRULE:

Should the be sued for false advertising? An eagle-eyed reader spotted a newspaper ad in a British tabloid while in the UK recently.

Under the not particularly catchy headline of "Bermuda is 21sq. miles and you're welcome to explore every inch of it from ?835'', the ad extolled the wonders of our tropical paradise, wonders which include ''bay after bay of impossibly pink beaches to laze on'' and activities such as snorkeling and diving. The ad was accompanied by a pic of a barely clad couple - their bronzed bodies shimmering in the blistering sun - knee-deep in the calmest, warmest looking waters you had ever seen.

The one problem with this advertiser's flight of fancy is that the offer is only available between November and February. While Hester will no doubt be spending part of her Christmas Day sipping something cool and refreshing on Elbow Beach, she will probably be wrapped up in her woollies. Clearly the ad's the copywriter has never tried lazing on a Bermuda beach in the middle of a freezing February.

Oh, and the name of the company would-be visitors need to contact if enticed by the ad? Caribbean Vacations. Are you sure no decision has been made on our entry into , Madam Premier?

@EDITRULE:

The Daily came in for a fair amount of flack during Friday night's debate in the House of Assembly. The reason? MPs were up in arms over an article which claimed that only three sitting MPs had served in the Regiment. Government backbenchers were particularly vocal in condemning the report, claiming that most of them had not been asked by the reporter about their military records.

That veteran political bruiser even rushed to the defence of backbench colleague who, the article claimed, was not one of the three to take the Queen's coin.

Reg explained he knew for a fact that his brickie buddy had served in the Regiment - because he was with him on the day Military Police arrested him for draft-dodging. The claim was backed up by Arthur's running mate, who recalled how the trio had been taking part in a soccer match when the khaki-clad coppers made their appearance. The law enforcers even allowed Arthur to finish his match before carting him off to Warwick Camp for a weekend of square bashing.

Fortunately for Arthur his blushes were spared during Friday's fight night. The St. George's MP, who has the worst attendance record in the House of Assembly, was notably absent when his commitment to public duty and self-sacrifice was being defended.

Hester knows politics can be a dirty game but with friends like these...

@EDITRULE:

Perhaps it was the end of term atmosphere. Perhaps it was the sight of Shadow Minister for Legislative Affairs showing up in a very unparliamentary Santa Claus outfit. Or perhaps some of our political representatives had had one glass too many of Christmas sherry.

Whatever the reason, Telecoms Minister - who has always struck Hester as a girl with her head well and truly screwed on - was obviously knocked off balance by something on Friday night.

Addressing the Island's Moslem community, the Hamilton East MP explained to MPs that Ramadan - the month-long fast when food cannot be eaten during daylight hours - had come at a particularly convenient time this year.

Renee reasoned that because the religious ritual was ending just before Christmas, Moslems across the world could now really go full out and celebrate December 25 - pigging out on Turkey and all the trimmings after depriving themselves for so long.

Now while Hester's sure many Moslems will be getting into the spirit of things this holiday season, perhaps Renee failed to understand that, as non-Christians, Moslems don't actually celebrate Christmas.

@EDITRULE:

Capital G Bank has certainly been raising its profile with a healthy dose of positive publicity this week.

In Tuesday's CEO explained how the company had become so successful since becoming a bank in October.

Then, just to over-egg the pudding, in today's edition, marketing vice president gushed on and on about what a superb company Capital G was to work for.

"Capital G is not about the Gibbons family. It is about the people who work here. It is these people who have made the institution what it is today,'' Andy enthused, adding that the company is bound to attract 'talent' from other financial institutions who will see a move to Capital G as: "a great opportunity to do the things they want to do, in their career".

It's Hester's understanding that Andy plans to jump ship for pastures new in the not-too-distant future and in fact has already handed in his resignation letter

Obviously Mr. Vaucrosson is one spin doctor who doesn't read his own publicity.

@EDITRULE:

Things are bad in tourism, but Hester has learned that they're now getting desperate. VSB reported earlier this week that an unnamed central parishes hotel is allegedly trying to attract gay men and women to boost their numbers. Nothing wrong with that, if it's true. The Island could do with a lot more variety to liven it up in Hester's opinion.

But when a hapless hack at tried to find out if the story was true, he was given a peculiar answer by one hotel boss, who, naturally, wishes to remain nameless. "We'll take anything with a pulse, that can walk and can pay the bill!" he almost cried out.