MPs’ pay: “O reason not the need! Our basest beggars/ Are in the poorest thing superfluous.”

We are making a rod for our own backs. The Commons is set to become the preserve of the fanatical, the rich and the union-funded.

Nelson Cameron???

Tony Abbott and Stephen Harper are more reliable models for the Prime Minister to follow than South Africa’s former President.

The number of Party members expecting Cameron to be Prime Minister after 2015 continues to fall

Otherwise, changes in the results from last month are miniscule.

Mandela and the Right

Mandela was slowly purified into one of the great icons of the human imagination: the man who is not defeated by suffering, but triumphs over it.

Boris retains his lead as Party members’ favourite to succeed Cameron

There is no evidence that his recent controversy-plagued speech has made the slightest difference to his popularity with activists.

Seven ideas for the Autumn Statement

Including one each for Homes, Jobs and Savings

The affordable state? You read it here first…

As the autumn statement looms, the Chancellor borrows a leaf from ConservativeHome’s book about the affordability of Britain’s public spending.

Sir George Young to retire in 2015. Will Greg Hands take over as Chief Whip before then?

The Deputy Chief Whip is a former PPS to George Osborne, and previously served as a member of his front bench team.

Yeo, deselection, Select Committee chairmanships – and money

Select Committee Chairmen who are paid by the taxpayer shouldn’t receive money from private interests that can reasonably seen to conflict with that role.

Mitchell, Cameron…and a test for the reshuffle

Prosecutions and proceedings can’t prove the innocence or guilt of the former International Development Secretary. The Prime Minister should take a view – and act on it.

Romania and Bulgaria: Cam to do what he can

Which is to place new restrictions on out of work benefits. Other than that, the law allows him little room for manoeuvre

The Alex Salmond prize for fairy tales

Don’t worry, Scots! You won’t have to pay any pesky extra taxes if you vote for independence. What do those mugs at the IFS know about anything, anyway?

Laura Sandys to stand down from South Thanet at the next election

One of the nicest people in politics prepares to leave Parliament.

Why shouldn’t you be required to prove your identity when voting?

(Or was Tom Stoppard right when he joked in Jumpers: “It’s not the voting that democracy. It’s the counting”?)

The final four for South East Cambridgeshire

The three women and a man face an Open Primary on December 7.