Watson comes out in favour of AV

Ex Minister Tom Watson professes that once he was a great fan of our electoral system,now he is not sure.

Writing in the Guardian this morning he says that

The rupture at the core of British democracy can only be healed with a radical programme of constitutional reform, reinforced by the authority of the people in a referendum.

Where once he believed

that if working people were to retain a voice in parliament, the current system of first past the post should be defended.

but now

Our voting system is the source code of the power wielded by MPs. It bestows the authority of the people on their representatives. Yet few MPs can claim support from more than 50% of their electors.

Smeargate rumbles on

So Smeargate continues as Tom Watson issues a statement through his lawyers announcing that he is considering action against the Mail on Sunday over Iain Dale's article.

This from Messrs Carter-Ruck

We have today been instructed by government minister Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich, in connection with allegations concerning him and the emails exchanged between Damian McBride and Derek Draper relating to a proposed website entitled 'Red Rag'. We have today written to the editors of the Mail on Sunday and the Daily Mail to complain about the publication of the false allegation that our client had knowledge of, and participated in, Mr McBride's actions. We have made it clear that our client has confirmed to us that he was not copied in on any of the emails exchanged between Mr McBride and Mr Draper, nor was he aware of them or their content until their existence was first drawn to the attention of Downing Street by national newspapers, on Friday April 10. He still has not seen them. We have further made it clear that our client had no involvement in or knowledge of the 'Red Rag' website."

Shanahan won't be on Tom Watson;s guest list

Shanahan in this morning's Sun seems to know exactly where the blame for the events of the last few days should be pinned.

There is another unsavoury creature lurking in the shadows who should join McBride on the dole.
And he’s not a civil servant like McBride but a minister appointed by Brown.
Treacherous Tom Watson, — a tub of lard who is known without affection at Westminster as “Two Dinners” Tommy — is suspected of being in this up to his bloated and bulging neck.

So no mincing of words there then