This is going round on email. Guido thought he’d bring it to a wider audience.

It is Friday…

David Willets says…

“Feminism trumped egalitarianism.”

Tory MP Anne McIntosh decided not to use one of the six languages that she speaks at PMQs the other day. Although the graphics get in the way, it looks to Guido like she decided to flip the opposition two fingers instead:

Guido is sure it happens a lot, but probably not the best idea when you are sitting behind the Prime Minister. Most Unparliamentary.

Via an anonymous eagle-eyed reader.

Leominster resident Jim Miller has been hot on the tail of his local MP Bill Wiggin, who regular readers will know is in all sorts of trouble regarding his expenses. In the latest twist Piggin’ Wiggin is refusing to comment on why he spent £1,166.10 “wholly, exclusively and necessarily” for his duties as an MP on various digital cameras. In one year.

Wiggin is refusing to be interviewed or to even meet with Miller to address some of the concerns raised. Why?

Well if Miller’s track record is anything to go by it could be the nail in the coffin for the troughing Tory whip. Miller put together a report into his local councillors expenses. Many of which are Wiggin allies and supporters. Highlighting flaws and cases to answer, Miller sent it over to the council’s auditor. The blunt reply says it all:

Subject: Cllr Expenses
Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:07:56 +0100
From: ██████@herefordshire.gov.uk
To: █████████████████████
CC: ██████@herefordshire.gov.uk

Dear Mr Miller

Regarding you complaints I write to inform you that after today I will not be employed by Herefordshire Council, Both your complaints are being investigated by the Audit Team, and a reply will be sent to you.

If you have any further queries on the subject please contact Carrie Wright at the above email address

Thank you

Tony Ford

Chief Internal Auditor

No answer. Wiggin has his association AGM this weekend and is heading into it as the only MP to be investigated a second time for his expenses. One of those to sign Wiggin’s nomination forms at the election has quit the Tories in disgust at the various expenses messes. He will be standing as an independent in May.

Wiggin must be hoping there are no more surprises on the way…

Up for grabs this week is Bobby Friedman’s new book looking into the world of John Bercow “Rowdy Living in the Tory Party“. The Speaker was a no show at the launch party on Wednesday…

Usual rules apply…

It’s not just Hamas who are spending their time developing and studying rockets. Sick of hundreds of them raining down on their land, the Israelis have decided to declare victory in the rocket race by landing one on the moon.

Three Israeli scientists are going for the Google Lunar X Prize where a craft must land and explore the lunar surface and transmit live video back to earth, all for a $30 million prize. They would be the third nation to achieve the technology and are looking to launch in 2013.

A useful bit of kit to have in these changing times…

(Unlike the previous story, this flag may have been badly Photoshopped.)

When he went into the Department for Local Government Pickles declared he wanted county flags, along with the Union flag, to be flown each day outside the building. It changes each week in conjunction with county days etc. However, true to style, the EU has muscled in on the action and obliged the department to fly the EU flag under Article 7(2) of EC Regulation 1828/2006. However it seemed to be missing this morning:

One DCLG pirate told Guido; “Yargh, tis not an April Fool, but act of defiance.”

Research out today from the No to AV campaign suggests that in the region of 35 constituencies could have their outcomes determined by the second preferences of BNP voters. This is the unwelcome empowerment that the AV system brings to democracy.

There is nothing new about the idea of an Alternative Voting system. When the idea was last mooted in 1931, Winston Churchill spoke up against it precisely because “the most worthless votes given for the most worthless candidates.” Churchill said AV “adds new features of caprice and uncertainty to the conduct of each individual election… Imagine making the representation of great constituencies dependent on the second preferences of the hindmost candidates. The hindmost candidate would become a personage of considerable importance, and the old phrase, ‘Devil take the hindmost’ will acquire a new significance.” As with so many things, Winston saw the danger to democracy clearly.

Source: NO2AV research summary here [PDF].