Further to my item yesterday about Sarah Wollaston, I've been told about the occasion many years ago that the eccentric Scottish Tory MP Nicholas Fairbairn was in the United States, and threatening to fly back to London and rebel against the government.
Then he rang his whip at the Commons to explain: "Actually, I won't be coming back just yet. I've been invited for dinner tomorrow night with the British ambassador."
Another small triumph for the whips.
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I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
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Comment number 1.
At 5th Apr 2011, barriesingleton wrote:ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION OF MORAL DERELICTION IN WESTMINSTER
As I have posted, over and over, the Westminster Ethos foreshadows all that is corrupt and nihilistic in British 'culture', from crooked money to dishonest warfare, with a mass of other dismal stuff in between.
What a shame Michael is a tittle-tattle merchant and not fearlessly investigative in the public interest.
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Comment number 2.
At 6th Apr 2011, JunkkMale wrote:1. At 19:24pm on 5th Apr 2011, barriesingleton
'My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out.'
There seems to be confusion in some quarters as to what may be meant, or understood, by such language when committed to print.
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Comment number 3.
At 6th Apr 2011, barriesingleton wrote:BRING BACK 'SPITTING IMAGE'
They could rename it: 'WE'VE GOT OURSELVES ANOTHER ONE'.
Dave is a toff, through and through. Immune to the misery of others; freed from the need to make a living; Prime Minister, simply because the style suits his ego.
AV won't prevent it happening again and again.
SPOILPARTYGAMES
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Comment number 4.
At 8th Apr 2011, barriesingleton wrote:IS THERE ANYBODY THERE? (Posted Friday 8th)
Did you fire the IT guy? Can't say I'm surprised, but now its broke (comments Thursday) might somebody fix it?
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