Those candidates with a suspicious mind might insist on an observer in the room when the ballot boxes are opened. The clerks are running the election, and it’s not their area of expertise. While they know little if anything of box-swapping and ballot stuffing. These days you just can’t rely on anyone…

The Deputy Speaker election starts at 11.30 with voting open until 14.00, but the late mover is Henry Bellingham after he impressed at both the 1922 and the PLP. Paddy Power have him at 7/4 with Laing still the favourite at 6/4:

Guido’s money is still on Laing…