Rhubarb! Rhubarb!

There is a rumour that rhubarb is to be outlawed.

In order to reduce the continual scaring of government ministers by frequent shouts across the chamber of 'Rhubarb! Rhubarb!' by the opposition and Labour back-benchers alike, it has been rumoured in Whitehall that a Bill will soon be put before the House that rhubarb (or at least the mention of it) should be banned from Parliament.

Whilst a total ban may calm the nerves of ministers in one sense, how many of them will feel deprived of one of their favourite desserts, with custard, as a total ban would probably have to include all of the eating establishments that the House of Commons (and the Other Place) has?

Perhaps the ban would result in a new cry - 'Custard! Custard!'. Doesn't have quite the same ring to it somehow....