MP to quit over second job rules

Labour MP Howard Stoate has said he will quit at the next election because new second jobs rules mean he will no longer be able to practise as a GP. I think this is a shame. I would have thought the leaders of the parties in the Commons could have been a little more sensitive and serious about this attack on second jobs. It is in part a reaction to Conservative MPs and the negative publicity that went with expenses scandal. Some Labour MPs jumped at the chance to be spiteful, not least Harriet Harman, who has a frenetic mind when it comes to petty jealousies. So in the scrum for perceived political cleanliness, the good go down with the ugly,...

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Norwich not tonight!

For the first time since I don't know when, the counters at the Norwich North by-election won't have to start counting until tomorrow morning. I think the last time a daytime result was on offer was the Honiton by-election in which Sir Peter Emery was victorious. 40-odd years ago! That was a good result - Emery stood to address the assembled masses and said, "The first thing you will want me to do is..." and a chap from the crowd conveniently interjected, "Bugger off back to Reading!". Gales of laughter from the Liberal Party and red faces from the Conservatives.There are various reasons given as to why democratic tradition such as by-election night is knocked on the head. One is that it costs more to pay people, such as the police, to hang around until the early hours. Another is that bank...

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Norwich North By-Election

If you want a comprehensive study of this by-election, look no further than Look East from the BBC. A very good compilation of the events leading up to tomorrow's vote.I predict a Tory win, not in emphatic style but rather like Roy Jenkins at Glasgow-Hillhead for the SDP. It could be that the Conservatives win on less that 33% of the vote. If that is the case, stand by for more verbal fisticuffs from the "losing" parti...

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Billy Goats Gruff

Gordon Brown said he wanted a "government of all the talents". He got a few willing helpers and put them into the House of Lords. They were instantly dubbed the GOATS. Now in biblical times sheep and goats looked rather similar. Both species had long ears and scruffy coats. Separating the sheep from the goats was not always an easy task. The sheep were considered flockish and docile, the goats independent and self-willed.In many ways it was a good idea of Brown's. The people chosen were well respected and knew their subject. However, being in government is not the same as advising government. So the latest "defector" is Lord Darzi. He wants to...

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Norwich North By-Election

The Norwich North by-election is getting along nicely, now entering its last two-week phase. 12 candidates up for election to be confirmed later today.They are -Peter Baggs - IndependentThomas Burridge - Libertarian PartyAnne Fryatt - NOTA (None Of The Above)Bill Holden - IndependentAlan Hope - Monster Raving Loony PartyGraig Murray - Put An Honest Man In ParliamentChris Ostrowski - LabourApril Pond - Liberal DemocratRupert Read - Green PartyChloe Smith - ConservativeGlenn Tingle - UK Independence PartyRobert West - British National PartyThat makes a dozen to choose from. However, the front runners are the Labour, Conservative, Greens, and Craig Murray's coalition. Who comes third will be as interesting as who comes first. I also think voters should give young Thomas Burridge a good hearing...

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George Osborne facing flipping inquiry

It has concerned me, as a possible returnee to the Conservative fold, that David Cameron saw fit to keep his shadow cabinet from the wolves yet was glad to let the so-called grandees fall on their swords. He knows that several were extremely naughty boys when it came to dipping their hands in the expense pot.George Osborne is now facing an inquiry by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner into aspects of his expenses claims. He is accused of claiming for mortgage payments "that were not necessarily incurred". The chap who complained about Osborne is Laurie Burton, the chairman of the local Labour Party in Mr Osborne's Tatton constituency. He...

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Brown says he is honest

Gordon Brown has insisted he is being honest with people about his spending plans amid opposition claims he is hiding the truth about future cuts. "I've always told the truth" he says. Why is it that he finds himself with so many believing otherwi...

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