Sketch: As he arrived in the chamber, Alistair Darling wondered what the large black book on the clerks� desk that divides government and opposition was.

As he arrived in the chamber, Alistair Darling wondered what the large black book on the clerks' desk that divides government and opposition was. It wasn't a Bible, although there's a copy of one in the actual dispatch box. The black album was out to be signed later by John Mason, the new SNP MP for Glasgow East.

Bible or not, Mr Darling was in for a sermon anyway, as was anyone else within hearing distance of the booming voice of the Rev Ian Paisley. Mr Paisley does not ever lounge on the green benches without purpose. He doesn't bob up and down vying for attention from the Speaker. When he stands proceedings come to a halt. And when he talks the lilting Ulster timbre of his voice demands attention as much as his 82 years of age.

"I remember as a lad in Ulster the soup kitchens, the poverty and the terrible happenings that took place then," recalled the ancient warrior, the voice a little more croaky than you last remember it. "And I think we all have to, in our own way, do what we can to help one another to get some way through this very dark hour for our nation."

"I know there are many beliefs in this house and my belief in God is well known. But I trust that our whole nation will turn in repentance and cry to God for an intervention so that the calamity will not come on our children and the babes in the cots."

Rarely does the Commons hear such genuine Churchillian rhetoric or such strong expressions of faith.

Maybe on his Hebridean holidays Mr Darling has had the opportunity to hear services in the same vein but, on this first day back for parliament, holidays were a distant memory of a time when the world was ordered in a different way.

"I've nationalised two banks already this year," said Mr Darling. "I never thought 10 years ago that I'd ever say that. Not even 20 years ago."

Other than that, Mr Darling skilfully said nothing at all, and the market dropped anyway.

Maybe that was the point at which the City traders were taking Mr Paisley's advice and were on their knees. When mammon fails it is time to turn to prayer.