In conclusion, M'lud

+Starmer’s promise to resign if issued with a fixed penalty notice over the ‘beergate’ affair is naturally a promise one hopes he has the opportunity of keeping. But given his reluctance to keep  to his previous promises (or pledges, if you will) it’s all up in the air. It bemuses me how a lawyer can make such a commitment before knowing the outcome of the police investigation. He has steadfastly protested his innocence, just like Johnson before him yet he has said he will resign if penalised. I don’t think I’d want him as a defence lawyer. Surely he must believe he has grounds to appeal if he thinks he’s so innocent? Don’t people appeal fixed penalty notices? I suppose it could result in a court appearance, but isn’t that his natural stage? I can see the trial of the century emerging here, the little man fighting the system, David and Goliath etc., etc. I can see film rights being sold. Who would play him? Harry Worth? (For those of a certain age.)
 
+The control freaks ‘in charge’ of the Labour Party have precipitated the resignation of the entire executive committee of Wakefield Constituency Labour Party by excluding any local influence over the choice of candidate in the forthcoming parliamentary by-election. I thought this situation was bad enough until I read Gordon Prentice’s latest blog about the shenanigans in his Canadian constituency of Newmarket-Aurora (north of Toronto). It’s worth reading for all those who boast of Western Democracy—read it here.