My colleague Sion Simon thinks mayors are going to be introduced whoever wins the next election. So he’s standing down as an MP to put his name forward as Mayor of Birmingham. I think he was a writer on the Telegraph with Boris Johnson. What is it about the Telegraph and the commanding heights of local government?
He’s also standing down as a Minister before the recess week later this month. So a new Minister will have to steer the Bill through Committee. I guess this could the other Minister at the Department for Culture Media and Sport, Margaret Hodge. Will report back when I know more.
The Tory wobbles and gaffes over the economy, Ashcroft and marriage tax is seized upon by Peter Mandelson and other Cabinet members today. Quotes from Peter M. dropped in my inbox:
Peter Mandelson said:
“The Conservative leadership’s plans for the economy are far from clear.
“In the coming financial year, starting two months from today, planned investment will rise by £31 billion. David Cameron said this time last week we needed to ‘tear up’ these plans. But now the Tories seem to be on the move.
“Instead of bobbing around like a cork in water David Cameron should level with the British people.
“If he refuses to be clear, if he will not be honest, people will conclude that – for electoral reasons – he is hiding the truth and that the Conservatives’ proposed cuts will indeed eat into the recovery and throw Britain back into recession and lost jobs.
“We are just seeing the early signs of recovery, but the road ahead will be bumpy. That is why we cannot take risks. The economy needs continued support until the recovery is fully locked in. That is why Labour are leaving Government spending and investment in place for 2010/11. It can’t be clearer.”
