Snapped outside Portcullis House this afternoon…

See also: In The Thick Of It Loop

Pic via @AL1CEPERRY

First "C##t" now "Arsehole" Jim on @R4Today this morning – 2h 36m 30s guyfawk.es/KR4lRf—
Guido Fawkes (@GuidoFawkes) May 12, 2012

It’s reigning… 

When a job advert states:

“You’ll be required to have expertise in the workings of the Labour Party. You’ll have a comprehensive knowledge of the Labour Party and a good awareness of constitutional affairs.”

The organisation hiring clearly wants a Labour Party person. Which objective news media organisation could possibly specify such a hire for a sensitive political analyst’s job?

Just tried to vote. My polling station, in Hammersmith, had closed two hours early. Has anyone else had same problem?—
Stephanie Flanders (@BBCStephanie) May 02, 2012

My democratic outrage is now in abeyance. Apparently all stations closed because, er, today isn't Thursday. Clearly I need an early night.—
Stephanie Flanders (@BBCStephanie) May 02, 2012

Stephanie Flanders is the Theresa May of democracy…

Seems the last minute nature of the panel – it was supposed to be a Ken, Boris, Brian & Jenny Question Time until the BBC changed their mind – has prompted some hasty preparation.

This was found in the Marquis of Granby pub…

It’s amazing what you can find in a photocopier in SW1:

Drafted by Abbott’s staffer Gabe Trodd a former government spinner it is incredibly patronising given that Diane has been a TV professional since Gabe was wearing nappies.

Guido particularly enjoyed the preparation for dealing with “Dimbelby” (sic), the “listen to, write down and refer to the names of people that ask questions”, and the advice to at least try and look as if you’re not reading the “lines to take” notes from Labour HQ…

“Legal commentator and former government lawyer” Carl Gardner has been rather vocal in recent days about the Abu Qatada case. He’s billed as an impartial commentator on the airwaves. Today in the Guardian he pronounced that ”I read both cases as supporting Abu Qatada’s reading, rather than the Home Secretary’s.” Surprisingly his opinions might not be as impartial as he likes to present. Writing with a little less legal flair during the 2010 general election campaign, Gardner said “as a Labour supporter, I’m far from being a natural Conservative, and so perhaps I’m likely to be biased”. Someone better tell the “un-biased” BBC…

For the last two months UKIP have been polling ahead of the Greens in London. In March it was 5% to 3%. Tonight Newsnight are inviting the two candidates who have a chance of winning the London Mayoralty on for a live debate, they have also invited two other runners on for good measure. Green Jenny Jones will get national airtime despite the fact that her party has no hope of winning in London. 

The Beeb are repeating a mistake they have made before. In the Norwich and Bradford by-elections they gave the Greens plenty of airtime and ignored the Eurosceptics. In both cases UKIP beat the hippies, and in Norwich they absolutely stuffed them. UKIP have managed to secure a small piece to camera, but the editorial logic is warped and is not supported by the facts. You read it here first…

Time for another stern letter from Tom Baldwin…

Pic via @DeclanLyons