The Chancellor Alistair Darling has caused a storm after suggesting that Herr Wilhelm Cuno, the Chancellor who generated the Weimar hyperinflation of the 1920s knew 'how to get things done'. It had been reported that Chancellor Darling was impressed at the speed at which Chancellor Cuno had printed money and generated hyperinflation under conditions not unlike those today.

Elsewhere it has been suggested that Pope Benedict has praised Alfonso Borgia for the way in which he 'got things done'. It is suggested that the Pope is impressed by the speed at which this diplomat from Aragon became Pope in the fifteenth century and became so influential during the Renaissance. "There is no doubt, " said a spokeman for the Pope, "That the new political and financial world order that the Pope is promulgating today would have been easily achievable under the Borgias."

And in a twist to this story, The Prime Minister of Italy, currently under fire for not getting things that were promised at the G8 done, suggested today that he admired the eighteenth century Venetian womanizer, Giacomo Casanova, for the way in which he 'got things done.' A spokesman for Signor Berlusconi later indicated that the Premier was referring to Casanova's personal accomplishments rather than public or international achievements.