That's Life! Margaret Moran

Margaret Moran, the Labour MP for Luton South, who went as far south as Southampton to talk tommy rot about dry rot, may be challenged at the next election by Esther Rantzen. "If the voters think it's worthwhile and they want me, here I am". Esther is obviously answering the call from Martin Bell that people rise up and stand as independents.

The next election will act as a clearout rather like a spring cleaning excercise. Esther will probably not be the last to declare. More are waiting in the wings.

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Speaker Martin stands firm - it's the rules!

Just as I thought. A short message to MPs telling them that he is sorry if anything he has done has contributed to the mess. A couple of indications about Sir Christopher Kelly's committee and it was on to points of order. Douglas Carswell, the Conservative MP who is behind the no confidence motion, is hopping mad or hopping incredulous. Either way, he's stoking it up as I blog. It is not a happy House of Commons.

Speaker Martin is saved by the rules. It's now up to the Government it seems, or Harriet Harman as Leader of the House, to decie what parliamentary time is given over to Carswell's motion. Whatever happens, it looks like Michael Martin will still be in the chair come Friday!

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