Mystery surrounds Duncan Tyneside role after demotion
Despite my best efforts, so far I've failed to confirm whether the has kept his position as Shadow Minister for Tyneside!
After being removed from the Shadow Cabinet and downgraded to Prisons Minister, it would be another indignity to be stripped of the title.
The Tories I've spoken to in the region believe he'll keep the role, but the Conservative press office in London have so far failed to confirm that.
It doesn't list it amongst but then I'm not sure it ever did.
So are there top level discussions going on about it? Can he cling on? Am I being sarcastic?
Errr...yes. I'd guess the future of the post hasn't merited much discussion which is why there's not been a definitive answer.
If Alan Duncan has kept the post, then his critics may question why if he's not good enough for the Shadow Cabinet, he's good enough for Tyneside.
On the other hand, it might give him a bit more time to spend up here, and he might welcome the odd day release from prison (as the shadow minister responsible of course!)
To be fair, he's been reasonably active and high profile in his role.
And it would disrupt any relationships he'd built up if his dalliance with the region is over.
But I'm sure his MPs on "rations" comments have gone down as poorly here as they have done with his leader.
Don't fret though, the region isn't without a representative in .
, is also Shadow Minster for Teesside.
Middlesbrough 1, Newcastle 0?
I'm Richard Moss, the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's Political Editor for the North East and Cumbria. Welcome to my irreverent - but hopefully insightful - northern take on reporting politics for Look North and the Politics Show.
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