I am sorry that Derek Conway will not be the MP for Old Bexley & Sidcup beyond the next election, but in the circumstances he made the only choice available to him.  He has, by all accounts, been a very committed local MP.  He and I probably have different points of view on a variety of issues, but I have always found him to be supportive of my efforts to enter public office.  He has been quick to take the punishment for his errors, and has rightly apologised. 

I hope that politicians of all parties will take note that the public expect their money to be used fairly and appropriately.

In a word, yes.

Like the resignation of the senior member of Mayor Ken Livingstone's staff the other day, I would say Mr Hain's resignation is late, but better late than never.

This matters because it is a question of trust.  Peter Hain said he did not intentionally mislead the public nor seek to hide his massive funding from somewhat complicated sources.  Maybe not.  But pleading he was far too busy being a Minister to cope with the legal demands to publish the sources of his campaign is not an excuse.  Especially not for a Labour Cabinet Minister who never lost an opportunity to point out other people's short comings!

The police are now investigating the matter.  It may be that no charges are brought.  Even so, he was right to resign because clearly he had too much on his plate to either be a good Minister and meet his legal requirements.