Thirty plus children from Alexandra Park School came to Parliament today. They had the tour, sat in the chamber for Prime Minister’s Questions – PMQs – and then came to question me for half an hour in a room I booked in Portcullis House.

Straight in – no hesitation – what should the public think of politicians who lie? So I gave them a very long and very direct answer – on the whole sad story of why politicians fall from grace. They were very condemnatory of George Galloway – and much, much more. I like it when children are lively and engaged as these young people were.

The Parliamentary Education Unit has produced a new brochure for young visitors to the House – and I even star on one page!

The afternoon is taken up with the police mergers debate. Nothing new to add since it was debated before Christmas. Labour’s plans are still wrong – combining illogical areas to fit in with the government’s regionalisation, hugely expensive and will not fix the real issues. Expensive nightmare! And ordinary you and me will have a double whammy. We will pay extra in taxes for the extra costs but also have less a less local and less accountable police force (except in London which remains unchanged).

I rush away at the end to go to Channel 4 Political Awards. Have been nominated for the Rising Star award – which is quite an accolade and only awarded once in every term of parliament. I am up against two Labour and one Tory. Given that it is one member of parliament one vote – I suspect I won’t win. It is a star-studded (ish) affair and I am seated next to Tony Benn (great person to sit next to) and Michael Howard on the other side of him.

They have put together packages of each category’s nominees with people, journalists or other MPs talking about them. I won’t spoil it all by giving it away here – but it will be on Channel 4 on Monday at 8pm. There were copious jokes at George Galloway’s expense – and the LibDems didn’t get away scot-free from what passed for jokes.