THIS is a difficult time of year for men. We were not made to shop. In our defence, we mean well.

There is no great masculine conspiracy to deprive British women of their dream frock and land them instead with a cordless Dustbuster. We really thought you'd like it. (Look, it's got a 30-watt motor and two speeds and an extendable crevice tool for extra reach...)

A scientific Diary survey has revealed that 97.6 per cent of women questioned have been given gifts that they rate between "rubbish" and "dire".

One interviewee told us of the year when she asked her husband for a leather jacket. On Christmas morning, there it was: a large and squashy parcel. Eagerly she unwrapped it and...

"It was a pillow! I couldn't believe it. I nearly smothered him with it."

Another tells of the time when she saw a large and promising box under the tree, only to find it was an incomplete set of BhS glass tumblers.

Then there was the husband who thought his wife would like nothing more than a tablecloth for Christmas.

Are these the worst pressies ever? Or have you received (or given) worse? Go on, share your seasonal horrors with the Diary.

GOSSIP reaches the Diary that Steve Galloway may not be long for City of York Council.

Word has it that he is considering standing as a Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate in the outer York constituency when it is created in line with the Boundary Commission recommendations.

The city council's leader certainly knows his General Election onions. He was agent for the Harrogate Liberal candidate Walter Greaves fully 35 years ago. Greaves came second.

Coun Galloway tried twice to become an MP in 1974, coming third in both polls, fighting first York then Pontefract. Five years later he fought Scarborough and came, er, third.

The arrival of the SDP-Liberal Alliance wrecked his chances of taking a place in the Commons in the Eighties. In 1986 York's sitting Tory MP Conal Gregory could have been challenged by Labour's Rod Hills and Steve Galloway, but that fascinating contest was ruined by the opposition parties choosing other candidates (Labour plumped for Hugh Bayley; whatever happened to him?). But all this was before Coun Galloway became city council leader. At a future General Election, he would surely be swept to Westminster on the back of his glittering Guildhall achievements by a grateful electorate.

But what about deputy council leader Andrew Waller? After toiling unsuccessfully to defeat Mr Bayley in recent ballots, he might also fancy the York outer seat which will include Lib Dem heartlands such as Huntington.

He should have a word with his erstwhile election agent about this. He goes by the name of, er, Steve Galloway...

STILL with politics, wasn't that an exciting performance at Prime Minister's Questions this week?

So who was that fresh-faced chap with a shy smile and a twinkle in his eyes who took on Tony Blair with such confidence?

Why, it's none other than York MP Hugh Bayley, tackling Tony on affordable housing. Unfortunately, his moment in the Commons sunlight was overshadowed by some boisterous fellow called Cameron.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, December 09, 2005