When you're a political spouse, you give up your anonymity...

Richard Timney is learning this the hard way at the moment, and perhaps he needs a reminder as to the identity of his wife.

Traditionally, political wives have lived a comparatively low-profile existence, required to look decorous on occasion, pose with hubby, children and labrador in front of picture perfect period house, and do good deeds in the constituency. Dull, worthy, true, but that's the way it is, particularly if you're a career woman in her own right. At least there was a template though...

The increasing interest in the private lives of our politicians has changed that though, and the simultaneous emergence of the political husband has created a whole new field of interest for journalists. What's the husband up to? What influence does he have on his wife? Not fair, I know, and casually sexist, it's true, but as my junior school teacher so rightly told me, life isn't fair.

So you have to be careful. The Press are not averse to going through your rubbish, quizzing your best friends or following you. They will, if they can get away with it, bug your phone or hack your e-mail if your spouse is important enough.

Now you know Richard. You've paid a high price for not knowing sooner, but hopefully you and Jacqui will patch things up. Piece of advice though, if you're going to watch porn movies, put them on your personal credit card next time...