Just want to add my comment that I (and many more) will miss your blog - even (perhaps especially?) the non-political stuff.

I think the point that the right wing media will attempt to twist every public utterance by you (and any other high-profile backbencher) to do Labour down was an important consideration- which is a shame the Daily Mail will have to bear.

Tom,
I dont know where ROSPA have got their figures from, but it certainly cant be based on the last tine we tried this out. In 1968, there were 6,810 people killed on Britains roads, in 1969, the first full year of the experiment, it roseto 7,365, then again to 7,499 and again to 7,699. In 1972 it peaked at 7,763 in 1972. Only then did the numbers begin to fall again. With even more traffic on our roads now than then, I fear for road safety should this go ahead - and not just in Scotland

As for the specious argument that it will promote tourism, are we really saying that there will be more visitors to outdoor attractions if the sun sets at 6pm in november, instead of 5pm in Southern England? I rather suggest that the weather will have a bigger effect than the amount of sunlight! And are we really saying that having the sun up until 11pm in June will be an incentive, compared to 10pm as now? Ridiculous!

Tom,
The big question is why did Ed Miliband appoint Wolas to the shadow ministerial team whilst this was all hanging over him? The sensible course would have been to suspend him whilst the case was going on.

Of course, I dont think the court case is the reason why he should have been dropped, but because he was useless as an immigration minister. He was bested by a has-been actress in a situation where he could have made a sensible, cross-party exception on, but no, he knew best and ultimately made Labour look like idiots.

Thats great news about the DVD. Even now, over 35 years later, the images from that story of giant spiders jumping on your back and taking you over, making you do things against your will brings shivers to my spine.

Has anyone checked Nick Clegg's back?

Tom,
I think you may have missed the fact that this story has come frmo a tory source. Who have stated that they are against AV. What would be the best way to get the answer they want? Make sure Labour campaigns against it.

Now how would they manage to get Labour to campaign against it?? Perhaps threaten an electoral pact?

Tom,
I am gutted for you, because I do think you are needed on the front bench. However, all is not over - continue the good work on teh back benches - continue the blog, and stand again in 2 years. There will be vacancies as some of those currently in will have proved themselves over-promoted.

PS Part of me is secretly relieved as we get to keep reading your wonderful blog!

Whats the one thing that Boris has actually done to improve London - the Boris bikes? That was a scheme that Ken had worked up! In fact, Boris scaled it back!

Isnt it interesting though, that there will be two candiates for London mayor who are both instantly identifiable by their first name only?

Tom,
There are plenty of people who should give up blogging. You are definitely not one of them. Your take on politics and the world in general will be sorely missed.

Dare I hope for ignominious defeat? Despite me thinking you'd be great up against Hammond on the transport brief.

Surely the answer is to provide MPs with offices staffed by civil servants. Everyone gets the same service. Everyone's office costs the same.

An interesting point there, about the real deficit we need to worry about is the money we have borrowed from abroad.

Of course, unlike a lot of countries (Greece, Portugal, Ireland, United States etc), that vast majority of our national debt (approximately £650bn of it) is held by UK nationals, or UK based organisations (such as pension funds and banks). ON that basis, we actually have very little to worry about, apart from the lack of growth.