Monday Morning. And the whip-marks are starting to show

The race for Speaker seems to have been nobbled by the Labour Whips and the Iraq War comes back to haunt Labour

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8111887.stm

“Beckett tipped to become Speaker: Labour MP Stephen Pound told Sky News that Labour whips were "touting Margaret Beckett" and said that they should "stop doing it”

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/politics/Labour-accused-of-39stitchup39-to.5387040.jp

“Labour accused of 'stitch-up' to anoint Beckett as Speaker”

(EDITOR: Oh, surely not?)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194622/As-hostages-bodies-returned-Miliband-admits-We-failed.html

“As hostages' bodies are returned to the UK Miliband is accused of incompetence and admits 'we have failed'”

(EDITOR: If that's the way you feel, then you should resign, Miliband)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labours-covert-effort-to-ensure-beckett-win-1712233.html

“Labour's 'covert effort' to ensure Beckett win”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1194592/MELANIE-PHILLIPS-A-new-Speaker-isnt-answer-The-problem-MPs-whove-hold-jobs-real-world.html

“A new Speaker isn't the answer. The problem is MPs who've never had to hold down jobs in the real world”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8111855.stm

“North Down MP Lady Hermon has told BBC News that she was asked by senior Labour Party figures to be a candidate for House of Commons Speaker”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1194614/ANALYSIS-So-role-did-Alastair-Campbell-play-Iraq-war.html

“Like ghosts at the feast, the sulphurous spirits of Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell loom large over Gordon Brown's latest political disaster”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/gordon-brown/5595131/Gordon-Brown-insists-Labour-can-win-election-despite-Cabinet-spending-fears.html

“Gordon Brown insists Labour can win election despite Cabinet spending fears”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/jun/21/tobias-ellwood-bournemouth-punched

“Tory MP hurt in confrontation with youths: Police are hunting for four youths who attacked an MP in a seaside resort in his constituency, leaving him with temporary hearing damage”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8112090.stm

“Zimbabwe and UK PM set for talks”

(EDITOR: Let's hope Brown doesn't wish Zimbabwe well...)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8111788.stm

“Brown's sympathy at UK hostage deaths”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1194612/GRAEME-MOORE-Mr-Brown-asked-Susan-Boyle--sons.html

“Mr Brown asked after Susan Boyle - but not our sons: The Foreign Office has been useless ever since my son and four others were kidnapped two years ago, and I am not afraid to say it”

And on that sad note, let's close this update. More is expected later especially regarding the Speaker's race. Eventually, hen I have my new Blackberry figured and configured, I might be able to start mobile blogging.