Despite being suspended from his party, David Ward is already making plans for LibDem conference. Officially his suspension ends the day before the yellow’s come together in Glasgow, though Nick Clegg hinted before he went on holiday that the punishment may be extended given that Ward is refusing to back down on his inflammatory claim that the future of Israel is not a given.  Two weeks ago a LibDem source said the Bradford MP’s return to the party fold would not be automatic. No doubt the leadership will be endeared by his words to his local paper today about the “inept” coalition. Ward is backing moves to raise the top tax threshold back up to 50p:

“I think this is a good idea. The economics of it, in terms of whether it brings in huge amounts of money, are not conclusive – but it’s about sending out a message that we are all in this together. It was politically inept to abolish it right at the time when so many other people are really struggling.”

Guido does enjoy seeing Ward using the word “inept” about someone else.