Suddenly, all MPs know where the Chagos Islands are and what’s best for them | John Crace

Many who last week couldn't have got within 500 miles of Mauritius on a map now can't bear it taking the archipelago

What a difference a week makes. Just last Wednesday, you could have put money on most MPs being totally clueless about the exact location of the Chagos Islands. Give them a map and many would have better luck being blindfolded.

Even a hint wouldn't have made much difference. Are they east, west, south or north of Mauritius? To be in with a shout, you have to know where Mauritius is. And most MPs wouldn't get within 500 miles. The Indian Ocean is bigger than you think. And don't get them started on Diego Garcia. Surely he's the younger brother of the titular character in the 1974 Sam Peckinpah film Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia.