I am already dreading the first signs of the nights drawing in.

Turning the clocks back will only serve to accelerate winter - and electricity bills and road accidents. Just in terms of energy efficiency and safety the case is made.

Surely whatever advantages gained in the depths of winter in the mornings regarding, say, children going to school are lost with the afternoons getting darker than they need be when they return home.

Central European Time is one continental custom we should embrace without delay - that is two hours ahead of GMT in the summer and one hour in the winter. Just imagine summer evenings where it doesn't get dark until around 11pm.

I'm sure the move would win a lot of votes if it was on the Tory party manifesto come the next General Election.

I can't see Gordon Brown advocating the plan because it is said a majority of Scots oppose the idea and he can ill afford to further alienate Scottish support.

The mass of the population - and therefore traffic accidents and energy use - is in the south. The Norwegians do well enough on Central European Time.

In any case if Scotland votes for independence in a couple of years it can choose what time it likes.