People are gradually crawling out of their festive cocoons to return to work, but so far they're finding that very little politics is planned for this week.

Which is why it's such a smart move by GQ to release the details of their Louise Mensch interview today.

The Conservative MP, known for, among other things, her role in the phone hacking investigation by the culture, media and sport select committee and as a former chick-lit novelist, is interviewed by the magazine and takes part in what looks like a very glamorous photoshoot. See here:

From the extracts available, it appears to be a pretty wide-ranging interview. Of most interest, perhaps, though is her complete openness about the frustration she's experiencing as a member of the large 2010 Conservative intake when it comes to promotion. She says:

"I’m not even a PPS (parliamentary private secretary, the lowest run on the ministerial ladder). It’s kind of annoying. What do I have to do to get promoted over here? Am I being disloyal? I don’t know.

"I need to sit down with my whip and say "What do I have to do?" No, every time there is a raft of PPS promotions and my name is not on them, I have to sit down and think ‘What am I doing wrong?"

This frustration is nothing new - lots of the 2010 intake have been saying it in private for ages. The fact that Mensch has gone public in such a style is a bold move, but not necessarily one that will endear her to the people doling out the promotions.

She also says she'd rather be a cabinet minister than win the Booker prize and that she'd very much like to "have a crack" at international development.

Tags: GQ, Louise Mensch