Very very sad

One of the most common questions I get asked if whether I plan to stand for Parliament.

Since I changed my mind when I was 20, I always reply that I have no intention to stand.

I then always get asked why.

Today is why.

Balancing the requirements of individual conscience and team discipline is very very tough, as today has shown. Sometimes you can not. This is not a case of who is right and who is wrong, just that we have a system which can lead to this.

I am very very sad about this. Katherine Rich is absolutely my favourite MP (Roger Sowry I regard as a great mate, not as an MP anymore) and it is pretty heart breaking to see stuff like this happen, even though it is part of politics.

On the plus side I have no doubt Katherine will make a great contribution in her other portfolios, and she still has one of the heavier workloads.