UK General Discussion

[Andrea]

Sir John Stanley MP has announced his retirement. I forgot he was still there!

[Andrea]

Former Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has announced today that he will retire in 2015.

I believe he's the 10th MP to announce retirement. The others are James Arbuthnot (Con, NE Hampshire), Glenda Jackson (Lab, Hampstead & Kilburn), John Denham (Lab, Southampton Itchen), Dawn Primarolo (Lab, Bristol South), Eric Joyce (Lab turned Ind after he head buttrf some Tories; Falkirk), Martin Caton (Lab, Gower), John Stanley (Con, Tonbridge and Malling)
Peter Luff (Con, Mid Worcestershire), Richard Ottaway (Con, Croydon South).

Don't feel bad if you have never heard of a couple of them or if you thought Stanley retired 15 years ago.

[Andrea]

Berwick-upon-Tweed at a by-election in 1973 (triggered by the resignation of its aristocratic Tory MP following a prostitution scandal)

I believe the current Tory PPC also descends from a local artistocrat family

[Andrea]

Tory reshuffle as exepected

Some bizarre moves by LD. Baker to Home Office? Resurection of Susan Kramer?

On Labour side, the highlight is the demotion of Jim Murphy.
Twigg and Byrne were always going to be at risk because of their tenure.
Good movie promoting Leslie. I would use Smith is something wider than Wales.
I would have sent Benn back to backbenches.
Has Jack Dromey been sacked?

[Andrea]

Yes, Dromey has gone from Housing.

he has been moved to Police today