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Timing is everything, Mr Watson

Labour MP Tom Watson has tired of the “merry-go-round” and has resigned from the shadow cabinet, but why?

Editorial
Thursday 04 July 2013 20:53 BST
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Tom Watson, veteran MP and Labour front-bencher, has tired of the “merry-go-round” and has resigned from the Shadow Cabinet. No longer will he be the party’s general factotum for the 2015 general election.

The member for West Bromwich East stresses that his decision is not related to the “mess” over the soon-to-be-vacant seat in Falkirk – where Unite has been accused of manipulating Labour’s selection process and Mr Watson’s office manager was the union’s first choice. Rather, it is because he is still distrusted by some for his anti-Blair resignation in 2006. And also because he wants to speak freely on pet subjects such as drones and phone hacking.

Strange that Mr Watson should choose to go so soon after the Falkirk debacle reached the public domain. But it must simply be a coincidence.

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