By the time you read this, the clocks will have gone back, which means that everyone has had an extra hour in bed.

However, the issue is far more complicated than that. Some people have long debated the point of the clocks going back at all. There’s a school of thought that British Summer Time, or daylight saving time, should continue all year round. The reasons for this include lower energy bills, road safety, boosts to tourism and business, greater sporting success and higher voter turnout. Some even suggest it could see a decline in terrorism. Phew!

However, just when you thought Brexit had run out of ways to be complicated, it appears the European commission is thinking of stopping countries turning their clocks back in unison with the UK. In 2017, the European parliament voted that daylight saving time be “reconsidered” to allow its member states to opt out, as Russia, Turkey and Iceland have all done.

Suddenly, this has become a lot more complex, but, on your behalf, I have mulled long and hard and come to the same conclusion that I’ve always reached when faced with the clocks changing: when the clocks go forward, I’m angry because I lose an hour in bed and when the clocks go back, I’m pleased because I gain an extra hour in bed. And, well, that’s about it.

As yet, all other powerful arguments, intriguing suggestions and earnest debates have failed to match the incentive of grabbing that bit of extra kip on a cold autumn morning. I’m a reasonable woman and available for further discussion on this (the EU can contact me via the Observer) but, to coin a phrase, where the annual Big British Lie-In is concerned, this lady’s not for turning or, indeed, getting up.

• Barbara Ellen is an Observer columnist