This moral cesspit

The detailed nature of the revelations concerning Mark Oaten are said to be so disgusting that not even the News of the Screws will print them.

That of course has not stopped a few jokes doing the rounds that moreorless give the game away.

This one is far too filthy to reproduce on a family-orientated blog (?) but if you're into Lib Dem toilet humour you can read it here.

When this story first broke I didn't think Oaten should quit as MP, but I would now take the view that Oaten's credibility is blown to such an extent that if the Lib Dems want to hold the seat, they should find a new candidate.

Kelly not out of woods yet

Ruth Kelly appears to have survived the calls for her to quit over the sex offenders in schools row - but now she faces an even bigger challenge.

And if she fails to win backbench support for Tony Blair's education reforms, it won't just be her job that's on the line....

You can read more on this in my latest column. Alternatvely, if you want to hear the podcast version, you can find it here.

Doubtless Ms Kelly will be grateful for this rather more supportive piece from Andrew Rawnsley in this week's Observer.

Blair-Brown handover deal back on?

BBC pol ed Nick Robinson speculates in his blog that Blair and Brown may have agreed a date for the long-awaited handover.

I agree, and I'm going to stick my neck out and say the date they've agreed is May 2, 2007 - the 10th anniversary of Mr Blair's coming to power.

I've said this before of course - most recently in this column published in the Newcastle Journal and Lincolnshire Echo last October.

But to my mind it's a fair compromise between TB's desire for a "full third term" and GB's need to get stuck into Cameron at the despatch box.