SO we've all got it wrong. Most people at Westminster thought MPs were elected to make legislation as one of their duties. Some would argue they often make bad legislation, but the underlying principle was that MPs were nevertheless supposed to make laws.

However, this is not a view shared by all - particularly Eric Forth, MP for Mid-Worcestershire from 1983-97. He stunned parliamentary colleagues by suggesting that an MP's duty was to sabotage legislation to stop it becoming law.

Mr Forth, now Tory MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, revealed his true colours during a debate on modernising the Commons.

I am not here to aid the process of legislation, which I regard as being almost inevitably inimical to the public interest, he said.

"I wish to try to obstruct as much legislation as possible. Examples of good legislation are so few and far between and examples of bad legislation so legion that I consider it almost self-evident that it is the duty of an MP to try to prevent legislation rather than to encourage it.

Mr Forth was opposing moves to timetable and programme legislation to limit all-night sittings in the Commons.

New Labour MPs ganged together to vote through the changes, which were strongly opposed by the Conservatives.

Bromsgrove Tory MP and new mother Julie Kirkbride fought against the proposals, which will mean MPs can get away from the Commons by about 10pm most days.

Mum is here to defend Parliament, she said as she strode into the Chamber.

Labour MPs argue that the changes in the working day will mean Parliament will work better because Members won't be constantly trying to catch up on sleep.

But the Tories fear the new hours will simply further strip Parliament of its power and allow Tony Blair to extend his presidential rule.

Worcester New Labour MP Mike Foster, though, rejected this argument. He voted for even further modernisation of the Commons' working hours, which was blocked, including by some members of the Cabinet.

He would not quite dismiss New Labour as jaded at the edges. There is modern Labour and traditional Labour, he said.

But Mr Blair should beware. His Government could soon be branded Middle Aged Labour.