In space nobody can heare you scream

Brussels spin doctors are planning to put a ballot box into orbit in an attempt to drum up some advance publicity for next June's European elections.

The wheeze is just one of many dreamt up as part of a £21 million PR contract to come up with a "campaign concept and visual identity" for the European Parliament. In space no one can hear you scream.

Those of us with long memories will recall the April 2005 mission when Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori took a copy of the ill-fated European Union Constitution to the International Space Station (ISS).

"Once in orbit, the Constitution will circle not only Europe, but the globe. It is to be hoped that this symbol of European identity will be welcomed by both Europeans and their counterparts throughout the world," rejoiced a rather too hopeful Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen at the time.

Oh by god! Please let it not be true!

Shit it is true.