Some people do their best to make the World a better place, always aware of their limitations and of the ‘art of the possible.’ They are positive, brave, cheerful in the face of adversity, dogged, determined. Others are of the general view that the world owes them a living and they get bitter and twisted with every little set-back.

What a contrast there was this week, for example. On Tuesday the Chancellor did his best under incredibly difficult circumstances to lay out his plan for the future. He seems to have squeezed large sums for infrastructure investment from the private sector, which we all hope should kick-start the economy towards growth. There’s no guarantee, of course, and despite my gut dislike of the EU I fear terribly for the consequences for Britain when the Euro finally collapses. But at least George Osborne is doing what he can to avoid catastrophe.

Yet on Wednesday we saw public sector workers apparently determined to throw George’s plans off course through their selfish and unnecessary strike action. We all sympathise with anyone who has to make any kind of sacrifice in these difficult economic days. But quite frankly, public sector pensions are already very generous by comparison with the private sector, and the offer which the Government made to resolve the dispute was actually pretty generous. Public sector pensions will remain among the very best available - much better than many in the private sector. We are all living so much longer than ever before that it is inevitable that we are going to have to pay a bit more for our pensions, and claim them rather later than we expected. I fear I have very little sympathy with the strike, which was called after a 25% vote in the union ballot. I would, as a result, be in favour of increasing the threshold to 50% to avoid this kind of thing in the future.

A positive approach to life can make a difference in so many small ways as well. It was great to see such a big turnout from the Hilmarton and Goatacre Road Safety group (HAGGIS for short) on Friday. They are doing great work to make their villages safer and pleasanter. Not whingeing, not wanting other people to do things for them. Just getting on with it and doing the best they can. The same could be said of the various groups campaigning against the unwelcome expansion of Chippenham whose rural walk I started off on Sunday. Just doing their own little bit to speak up against the economic might of the developers.

In my own little way, I too am pleased that some of my recent Parliamentary rebellions have paid off. The Government have given in on the subject of the Chief Coroner for military inquests; they have made concessions over pensions for women born in 1954 and they are probably going to allow Malaysian veteran to wear their PJM medals.

Who was it who talked of the ‘Little Platoons’ and ‘God fighting for the Small Battalions’? Burke, I think, and as true today as ever it was.