CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=7YQSqjSh" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/","20101021164033","https://web.archive.org/","web","https://web-static.archive.org/_static/", "1287679233"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=p7PEIJWi" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web-static.archive.org/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>BBC - Mark D'Arcy Blog</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8"/> <meta name="description" content="The blog of Mark D'Arcy "/> <meta name="keywords" content="BBC, News, Blog, 'BBC News', 'mark darcy', arts, culture, entertainment"/>  <meta name="DCTERMS.created" content="2009-01-27T12:00:00Z"/> <meta name="DCTERMS.modified" content="2010-10-21T16:34+0:00"/>     <link rel="schema.dcterms" href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"/> <link rel="index" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/a-z/" title="A to Z"/> <link rel="help" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/help/" title="BBC Help"/> <link rel="copyright" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/terms/" title="Terms of Use"/> <link rel="icon" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon"/> <meta name="viewport" content="width = 974"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033cs_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/frameworks/barlesque/1.5.2//desktop/2.5/style/main.css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033cs_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/bbcdotcom/0.3.21/style/3pt_ads.css"/> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://node1.bbcimg.co.uk/glow/gloader.0.1.3.js"> gloader.use("glow", {map: "https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://node1.bbcimg.co.uk/glow/glow/map.1.7.3.js"}); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/frameworks/barlesque/1.5.2//desktop/2.5/script/blq_core.js"></script>    <script type="text/javascript"> blq.assetPath="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://static.bbc.co.uk/frameworks/barlesque/1.5.2//desktop/2.5/"; blqOnDomReady(function() { blq.addGoTrack('blq-main', {external:true}); blq.suggest_short = false; blq.addAutoSuggest(); }); blq.setEnvironment('live'); </script> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="screen" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033cs_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/modules/identity/statusbar/3.14.1/style/id-status.css"/> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" media="screen" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033cs_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/modules/identity/statusbar/3.14.1/style/id-panel.css"/>     <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof identity == 'undefined'){ var identity = {}; } </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var idProperties = { 'env': 'live', 'staticServer': 'http://', 'dynamicServer': 'https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://id.bbc.co.uk', 'secureServer': 'https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/https://id.bbc.co.uk', 'assetVersion': '3.14.1', 'assetPath': 'https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://static.bbc.co.uk/modules/identity/statusbar/3.14.1/' }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/modules/identity/statusbar/3.14.1/script/id-status.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/modules/identity/statusbar/3.14.1/script/id-app.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/modules/identity/statusbar/3.14.1/script/id-forms.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/modules/identity/statusbar/3.14.1/script/id-glow-panel-extensions.js"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> try{ gloader.load(["glow", "1", "glow.anim", "glow.dom", "glow.net", "glow.widgets", "glow.widgets.Panel", "glow.widgets.InfoPanel", "glow.forms"],{ 'onLoad': function(glow){ glow.ready(function(){ try{ identity.status.init(glow); } catch(e){ } }); } }); } catch(e){ } </script>   <script type="text/javascript"> /* Note all JS comments should use asterisks so as to work with Spectrum's simple minification */ if(typeof BBC == "undefined") {var BBC = {}}; BBC.adverts = {setZone: function(){}, configure: function(){}, write: function(){}, show: function(){}}; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/bbcdotcom/0.3.21/script/bbccom.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ (function(){ var zone = "3pt_zone_file"; var zoneAuto = false; var siteAuto = false; var keywordsAuto = false; var zoneOverride = false; if(/[?|&]zone=((?!preview)\w*\/*\w+)(&|$)/.test(window.location.search)) { zone = RegExp.$1; zoneOverride = false; }; if(/[?|&]zone=(http:\/\/.+(\.bbc\.co\.uk){1}.*(bbc\.com){1}.*\.js)(&|$)/.test(window.location.search)) { if (RegExp.$1.indexOf("/../") === -1) { zone = RegExp.$1; zoneOverride = true; }; }; /* Added by Barlesque, so new static root can be passed post-load scripts. */ BBC.adverts.setScriptRoot("https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://static.bbc.co.uk/bbcdotcom/0.3.21/script/"); BBC.adverts.init({ domain: "www.live.bbc.co.uk", location: window.location.pathname, zoneVersion: zone, zoneAuto: zoneAuto, siteAuto: siteAuto, keywordsAuto: keywordsAuto, zoneOverride: zoneOverride, zoneReferrer: document.referrer, inclusionstyle: "direct_ads" }); })(); //]]> </script> <link rel="alternate" type="application/atom+xml" title="Atom" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/atom.xml"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="RSS" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/rss.xml"/> <style type="text/css"> @import '/web/20101021164033cs_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidance/style/pg_external.css?r164'; </style>   <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20101021164033js_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/guidance/script/js/pg-gb.js?r164"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/swfobject.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/emp/embed.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033cs_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mt-static/themes/bbc/css/main.css" type="text/css"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033cs_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mt-static/themes/bbc/css/colours.css" type="text/css"/> <script type="text/javascript" src="/web/20101021164033js_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dnaimages/components/commentbox/gloader/commentbox.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/glow/gloader.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gloader.load( ["glow", "1", "glow.net"], { async: true, onLoad: function(glow) { if (window.dna) { glow.ready(function(){ dna.lang.register(glow); }) } if (typeof identity !== 'undefined') { glow.events.addListener(identity,'login',function(){ window.location.reload(); }); } } } ); </script> <style type="text/css"> #dna_commentbox_holder{display: block;} #dna_commentbox_holder_error{display: none;} </style>  <link rel="stylesheet" media="screen" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033cs_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mt-static/themes/bbc/css/dna_comments.css" type="text/css"/>  <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033cs_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/localstyles.css" type="text/css"/>   </head> <body class="red blogs mark-darcy-blog"> <div id="blq-container" class="blq-lang-en-GB blq-dotcom"> <div id="blq-pre-mast" lang="en-GB">  <div id="bbccom_leaderboard_container"> <div id="bbccom_leaderboard" class="bbccom_display_none"> <script type="text/javascript">BBC.adverts.write("leaderboard",true);</script> </div> <script type="text/javascript">BBC.adverts.show("leaderboard");</script> </div> </div> <div id="blq-container-inner" lang="en-GB"> <div id="blq-acc" class="blq-rst"> <p id="blq-mast-home" class="blq-no-images"><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/" hreflang="en-GB"> <span class="blq-home">British Broadcasting Corporation</span><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/frameworks/barlesque/1.5.2//desktop/2.5/img/blocks.png" alt="BBC" id="blq-blocks" width="107" height="32"/><span class="blq-span">Home</span></a></p> <p class="blq-hide"><strong><a id="page-top">Accessibility links</a></strong></p> <ul id="blq-acc-links"> <li id="blq-acc-txt"> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/education/betsie/parser.pl">Text only</a> </li> <li class="blq-hide"><a href="#blq-content">Skip to content</a></li> <li class="blq-hide"><a href="#blq-local-nav">Skip to local navigation</a></li> <li class="blq-hide"><a href="#blq-nav-main">Skip to bbc.co.uk navigation</a></li> <li class="blq-hide"><a href="#blq-search">Skip to bbc.co.uk search</a></li> <li id="blq-acc-help"> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/help/">Help</a> </li> <li class="blq-hide"><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/">Accessibility Help</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="blq-main" class="blq-clearfix"> <div id="blq-content"> <div id="image"> <img src="/web/20101021164033im_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy//images/header.jpg" alt="BBC BLOGS - Mark D'Arcy Blog" usemap="#newsblog"> <map name="newsblog"> <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,160,67" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi"> <area shape="rect" coords="160,0,974,67" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/"> </map> </div>  <div id="content"> <div class="main content">  <div class="content-left"> <div class="post" id="entry-267847"> <h2><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_surreal_moment.html" rel="bookmark">A surreal moment </a></h2> <div class="meta"> <p class="flt-l "> <span class="vcard author"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/mark_darcy/">Mark D'Arcy</a></span> <span class="separator">|</span> <abbr class="published" title="2010-10-21T16:24:42+00:00">16:24 UK time, Thursday, 21 October 2010</abbr> </p> <p class="flt-r"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_surreal_moment.html#comments" title="Comments made about this entry." rel="comments">Comments (0) </a> </p> <div class="cleardiv"></div> </div> <div class="post_content"> <p>Continuing my series of weird and wacky moments in Parliament...</p> <p>A surreal moment in the House of Lords this afternoon, when <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/24971.stm">Lord James of Blackheath</a> regaled peers with "an obscene account of Herman Goering having sexual congress with a lady kangaroo, which ultimately proved fatal to him because it wouldn't stop jumping..."<br/> </p> <ul class="ami_social_bookmarks"> <li class="bookmark">Bookmark with:</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_surreal_moment.html&title=A surreal moment ">del.icio.us</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_surreal_moment.html&title=A surreal moment ">Digg</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?popoff=0&u=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_surreal_moment.html&h=A surreal moment ">Newsvine</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://view.nowpublic.com/?src=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_surreal_moment.html">NowPublic</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://reddit.com/submit?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_surreal_moment.html&title=A surreal moment ">Reddit</a></li> <li class="help"> - <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/podsandblogs/2007/04/social_bookmarks_explained.shtml">What's this?</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="post" id="entry-267679"> <h2><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/detailed_scrutiny.html" rel="bookmark">Detailed scrutiny</a></h2> <div class="meta"> <p class="flt-l "> <span class="vcard author"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/mark_darcy/">Mark D'Arcy</a></span> <span class="separator">|</span> <abbr class="published" title="2010-10-21T09:43:51+00:00">09:43 UK time, Thursday, 21 October 2010</abbr> </p> <p class="flt-r"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/detailed_scrutiny.html#comments" title="Comments made about this entry." rel="comments">Comments (1) </a> </p> <div class="cleardiv"></div> </div> <div class="post_content"> <p>I tend to refer, rather glibly, to the "detailed scrutiny" being given to the Parliamentary Voting and Constituencies Bill by the full House of Commons. </p> <p>It turns out that it is more detailed than I imagined, probing the Latin roots of the word "alternative", the better to understand what an "alternative vote" actually is. As a public service here's a taste of the full majesty of that committee stage scrutiny:</p> <blockquote><strong>Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest) (Con):</strong> The hon. Member for Blackley and Broughton (Graham Stringer) made a good point about some people effectively having three, four or five votes. However, is it not the case that the meaning of the word "alternative" is "one of two", from its true Latin derivation, "alter"? My hon. Friend's amendment is therefore technically and linguistically absolutely correct. If the system is to be called the alternative vote system, the sense of "one of two" must come into it somewhere, not the sense of "one of four or five". <strong> <p>Mr Chope:</strong> I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that point. She and I have not colluded on this, but I took the precaution of looking up the definition of "alternative" and its usage in the "Shorter Oxford English Dictionary", which says:<br/> "Some traditionalists maintain" - I think that she and I are both in that category - "from an etymological standpoint, that you can only have a maximum of two alternatives (from the Latin alter 'other (of two)') and that uses where there are more than two alternatives are erroneous."</p> <p>However, the dictionary then says: "Such uses are, however, normal in modern standard English."</p> <p>More is the pity, but that is the factual situation as described in the dictionary. However, the sense that I have described is how those of us who are traditionalists, as well as a lot of other people, understand the word "alternative". Indeed, although I am reluctant ever to criticise a word that he says, earlier on we heard the Prime Minister use the word "less" when he meant "fewer".</p> <p><strong>Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP):</strong> The hon. Gentleman is giving us a lecture on the difference between prescriptive and descriptive grammar. ...<br/> [...]</p> <p><strong>Mr Chope:</strong> I want to draw another analogy. If the alternative vote system proposed by the Government in the Bill were adopted, people would be encouraged to rank the number of candidates from one to however many, in order of preference. I think that a lot of our constituents have difficulty in being sure about the relative merits of one or two candidates, yet we would be expecting them to list perhaps nine candidates in order of preference. If we tried to rate fast-food outlets in order of preference, we would need not only to work out which one we liked the most, but to rank Starbucks, McDonald's, Subway, Caf茅 Nero, KFC, Burger King and Pret A Manger in order of preference. It is quite complicated for people to rate, say, one as their sixth preference and another as their seventh. Such a voting system would be demanding and result in people having to spend a lot more time in the polling booth poring over the information about the candidates. Indeed, they would need to get a lot more information before they could exercise an informed choice.</blockquote></p> <ul class="ami_social_bookmarks"> <li class="bookmark">Bookmark with:</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/detailed_scrutiny.html&title=Detailed scrutiny">del.icio.us</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/detailed_scrutiny.html&title=Detailed scrutiny">Digg</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?popoff=0&u=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/detailed_scrutiny.html&h=Detailed scrutiny">Newsvine</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://view.nowpublic.com/?src=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/detailed_scrutiny.html">NowPublic</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://reddit.com/submit?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/detailed_scrutiny.html&title=Detailed scrutiny">Reddit</a></li> <li class="help"> - <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/podsandblogs/2007/04/social_bookmarks_explained.shtml">What's this?</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="post" id="entry-267347"> <h2><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/does_mr_afriyie_have_a_plan_to.html" rel="bookmark">Does Mr Afriyie have a plan to scupper IPSA?</a></h2> <div class="meta"> <p class="flt-l "> <span class="vcard author"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/mark_darcy/">Mark D'Arcy</a></span> <span class="separator">|</span> <abbr class="published" title="2010-10-20T13:02:41+00:00">13:02 UK time, Wednesday, 20 October 2010</abbr> </p> <p class="flt-r"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/does_mr_afriyie_have_a_plan_to.html#comments" title="Comments made about this entry." rel="comments">Comments (2) </a> </p> <div class="cleardiv"></div> </div> <div class="post_content"> <p>Are MPs about to strike back against what they regard as the evil empire - their expenses watchdog, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.ipsa-home.org.uk/">IPSA</a>? </p> <p>It could happen this Friday, if they're prepared to weather the inevitable media storm.</p> <p>Friday in the Commons is private members' bill day, and we can expect some quite lively debate on <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/25474.stm">John McDonnell's </a>Lawful Industrial Action (Minor Errors) Bill, which seeks to prevent strike ballots being ruled illegal because of what he regards as trivial procedural errors. There are bills on sports ground safety, (from <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/83146.stm">Jonathan Lord</a>) secured lending (where a house or some other property is used as a security for borrowing - from <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/77092.stm">George Eustice</a>) and electoral law (from <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/31691.stm">Peter Bone</a>.) </p> <p>So it looks unlikely, though not impossible, that MPs will reach the fifth bill on their agenda, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/representatives/profiles/35516.stm">Adam Afriyie's </a>Parliamentary Standards (Amendment) Bill. Mr Afriyie is offering MPs a chance to reform the great bugbear of parliamentary life - the new look expenses system overseen by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). I've finally laid my hands on a copy of the bill - which seeks to replace the whole elaborate edifice constructed since the expenses scandal with a simple regional allowance system. </p> <p>The argument is that the result would be impossible to cheat, much cheaper to administer, and would save the taxpayer several million pounds - while freeing MPs from a massive and hated bureaucratic burden. </p> <p>MPs would get a single, simple allowance, depending on the region in which their seat was located. But since there would be no item-by-item accounting for how the money was spent, it would arguably be less transparent - although there could be amendments to address that point.</p> <p>Behind the scenes Mr Afriyie has lobbied just about every authority figure in the Commons and hundreds of individual MPs. So will all that effort come to nothing on Friday, if the bill is not debated? That will depend on whether someone objects to the bill going forward - if it is debated, it is unlikely there would be enough MPs present to vote it through, if someone opposed it. </p> <p>If not, at 2.30 on Friday, the clerks will read out a list of bills that which have not been discussed, and after each title is announced, a government whip normally shouts "object". This ritual pushes the bills onto a future agenda. But if no-one (and it doesn't have to be a whip) says "object", the unobjected bill is deemed to have received a second reading, and goes forward for detailed consideration in committee. It looks as if Mr Afriyie is hoping that this will happen to him. </p> <p>Even after the arrival of a new, untainted, generation of MPs, the issue of expenses remains radioactive - and it may well be that the government whips, or even some individual, decides to block the bill. Plenty of MPs hate the current system and almost no-one would die in a ditch to protect it...but many also fear the return of the dread and angst which pervaded Westminster when the scandal was at fever pitch, and a 2pm phone call from the Daily Telegraph could signal the end of a parliamentary career. But if the bill does go into committee, the system could be transformed - although the fear and loathing factor should mean that there is no return to pre-crisis troughing. </p> <p>Alternatively, Mr Afriyie could ask the Backbench Business Committee to allocate time to allow him a second reading debate. IPSA is certainly a matter of concern to all MPs - but there is some question over whether the committee has the power to put bills before the Commons. It would certainly be a precedent-setting move, but then almost every action they take is precedent-setting at the moment. </p> <p>What is obvious, looking at the bill, is that a great deal of careful work has gone into it - far more than would be necessary for a token, doomed piece of legislation. I think Mr Afriyie has a plan...<br/> </p> <ul class="ami_social_bookmarks"> <li class="bookmark">Bookmark with:</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/does_mr_afriyie_have_a_plan_to.html&title=Does Mr Afriyie have a plan to scupper IPSA?">del.icio.us</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/does_mr_afriyie_have_a_plan_to.html&title=Does Mr Afriyie have a plan to scupper IPSA?">Digg</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.newsvine.com/_wine/save?popoff=0&u=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/does_mr_afriyie_have_a_plan_to.html&h=Does Mr Afriyie have a plan to scupper IPSA?">Newsvine</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://view.nowpublic.com/?src=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/does_mr_afriyie_have_a_plan_to.html">NowPublic</a> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://reddit.com/submit?url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/does_mr_afriyie_have_a_plan_to.html&title=Does Mr Afriyie have a plan to scupper IPSA?">Reddit</a></li> <li class="help"> - <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/podsandblogs/2007/04/social_bookmarks_explained.shtml">What's this?</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="sidebar"> <p class="jump"><a href="#jump_more">Jump to more content from this blog</a></p> <div class="block block-one about"> <div class="wrap1"> <div class="wrap2"> <div class="wrap3"> <div class="title"><h3>About this blog</h3></div> <div class="inner"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/images/markdarcyhead.jpg" align="left"> I'm Mark D'Arcy and I'll be writing about what goes on in the chambers and committee rooms at Westminster. <div class="cleardiv"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="block rss block-one"> <div class="wrap1"> <div class="wrap2"> <div class="wrap3"> <div class="title"><h3>Subscribe to Mark D'Arcy Blog</h3></div> <div class="inner"> <p>You can stay up to date with Mark D'Arcy Blog via these feeds.</p> <p class="rss_link first"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/rss.xml">Mark D'Arcy Blog Feed</a><span>(RSS)</span></p> <p class="rss_link"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/atom.xml">Mark D'Arcy Blog Feed</a><span>(ATOM)</span></p> <p>If you aren't sure what RSS is you'll find <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/3223484.stm">our beginner's guide to RSS</a> useful.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="block block-one news"> <div class="wrap1"> <div class="wrap2"> <div class="wrap3"> <div class="title"><h3>Latest: Reporters' blogs</h3></div> <div class="inner"> <div id="about"> <h2>Latest from BBC News blogs</h2> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Mark Mardell:<br><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2010/10/who_wants_to_be_in_the_stoopid.html">" There's been much mockery of Delaware Republican candidate Christine O'Donnell for her lack of awareness that the concept of..."</a></p> </td> <td width="58" valign="top"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/mardell58.jpg" alt="Mark Mardell" style="margin-top:13px" height="55" width="58"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Nick Robinson:<br><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/2010/10/last_nights_six_oclock_news.html">"If you were watching the 6 O'Clock News last night, you may have seen a "Troops Out" sign on a..."</a></p> </td> <td width="58" valign="top"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/images/sidebar_promo_nickrobinson.jpg" alt="Nick Robinson" style="margin-top:13px" height="55" width="58"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Stephanie Flanders:<br><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/stephanieflanders/2010/10/ifs_analysis_of_tax_and_benefi.html">"The Institute For Fiscal Studies (IFS) says that the entire package of tax and benefit changes coming into force by..."</a></p> </td> <td width="58" valign="top"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/stephanieflanders/images/stephanie_flanders55.jpg" style="margin-top:13px" height="55" width="58" alt="Stephanie Flanders"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Jonathan Amos:<br><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jonathanamos/2010/10/uk-space-funding-steady-thrust.shtml">"When George Osborne stood up to give his Spending Review statement on Wednesday I was walking around a factory cleanroom..."</a></p> </td> <td width="58" valign="top"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jonathanamos/jon_amos58.jpg" alt="Jon Amos" style="margin-top:13px" height="55" width="58"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Mark Devenport:<br><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markdevenport/2010/10/drowning_in_numbers_2.html">"After my last blog I got a call from a Stormont source telling me that come the end of this..."</a></p> </td> <td width="58" valign="top"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markdevenport/mark_devenport58.jpg" alt="Mark Devenport" style="margin-top:13px" height="55" width="58"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p>Phil Coomes:<br><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/photoblog/2010/10/your_pictures_of_the_week_fish.html">" Each week, we set a theme and ask you to send in your photographs; this time the theme was..."</a></p> </td> <td width="58" valign="top"> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/photoblog/phil_coomes58.jpg" alt="Phil Coomes" style="margin-top:13px" height="55" width="58"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> </tbody> </table>  <br> </div> <div class="bottom"><ul class="sidebar-list"><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors">Our blog about issues in News</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/">Our blog about issues in Sport</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/photoblog/">Our blog about photos and News</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/opensecrets/">Our freedom-of-information blog</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/">BBC Internet Blog</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/">Radio 4 Blog</a> and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/5live/">5 Live Blog</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor/">Magazine Monitor</a> and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/seealso/">See Also</a></li></ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="block block-one news"> <div class="wrap1"> <div class="wrap2"> <div class="wrap3"> <div class="title"><h3>BBC News blogs</h3></div> <div class="inner"> <div id="about"><ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theeditors">News Editors</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors">Sport Editors</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/journalismlabs/">Journalism Labs</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/">BBC Internet Blog</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/">Radio 4 Blog</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/photoblog/">Viewfinder</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/andrewharding/">Andrew Harding on Africa</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/maggieshiels/">dot.Maggie</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/rorycellanjones/">dot.Rory</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/richardblack">Earth Watch: Richard Black</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ethicalman/">Ethical Man</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/">Fergus's Medical Files</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/gavinhewitt/">Gavin Hewitt's Europe</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/willgompertz/">Gomp/arts</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor">Magazine Monitor</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/">Mark D'Arcy for Democracy Live</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston">Mark Easton's UK</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell">Mark Mardell's America</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/nickbryant">Nick Bryant's Australia</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson">Nick Robinson's Newslog</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markdevenport">NI: The Devenport Diaries</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/opensecrets">Open Secrets</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston">Peston's Picks</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/briantaylor">Scotland: Blether with Brian</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/douglasfraser">Scotland: Douglas Fraser's Ledger</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/">Soutik Biswas' India</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/jonathanamos/">Spaceman</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/stephanieflanders/">Stephanomics</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/betsanpowys">Wales: Betsan's Blog</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/fivelivebreakfast">5 Live Breakfast</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/">Newsnight</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm">PM programme</a> (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/ipm">iPM</a>)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/workinglunch/declancurry/">Working Lunch: Declan Curry</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldtonight">World Tonight: Robin Lustig</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>  </div>  </div> <div class="cleardiv"></div>  <div class="related content"> <h2>Other posts from this blog</h2> <div class="grids"> <div class="first unit"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_nasty_mess_of_porridge.html" rel="bookmark">A nasty mess of porridge</a></h3> <div class="meta"> by <span class="vcard author"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/mark_darcy/">Mark D'Arcy</a></span> on <abbr class="published" title="2010-10-19T15:00:35+00:00">15:00 UK time, Tuesday, 19 October 2010</abbr> <span class="separator">|</span> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_nasty_mess_of_porridge.html#comments" title="Comments made about this entry." rel="comments">Comments (6) </a> </div> <p>In the not-too-distant future some unfortunate minister is going to have to lay before the Commons a bill that none of the parties wants anything to do with. It will be a bill to give at least some of the...</p> <p><strong><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_nasty_mess_of_porridge.html#more" rel="bookmark">Read more...</a></strong></p> </div> <div class=" unit"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/revenge_may_be_sweet.html" rel="bookmark">Revenge may be sweet...</a></h3> <div class="meta"> by <span class="vcard author"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/mark_darcy/">Mark D'Arcy</a></span> on <abbr class="published" title="2010-10-15T17:05:56+00:00">17:05 UK time, Friday, 15 October 2010</abbr> <span class="separator">|</span> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/revenge_may_be_sweet.html#comments" title="Comments made about this entry." rel="comments">Comments (3) </a> </div> <p>If we're going to cut the number of MPs, shouldn't we also cut the number of ministers? That's the question which will be posed next week by Tory backbencher Charles Walker. The Parliamentary Voting and Constituencies Bill includes plans to...</p> <p><strong><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/revenge_may_be_sweet.html#more" rel="bookmark">Read more...</a></strong></p> </div> <div class=" unit"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/next_weeks_business_1.html" rel="bookmark">Next week's business</a></h3> <div class="meta"> by <span class="vcard author"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/mark_darcy/">Mark D'Arcy</a></span> on <abbr class="published" title="2010-10-15T16:28:48+00:00">16:28 UK time, Friday, 15 October 2010</abbr> <span class="separator">|</span> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/next_weeks_business_1.html#comments" title="Comments made about this entry." rel="comments">Comments (2) </a> </div> <p>Thanks to those who took a moment to comment on what I should put in my weekly parliamentary preview. I can try to give some advance warning of forthcoming select committee reports - but it may be a while before...</p> <p><strong><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/next_weeks_business_1.html#more" rel="bookmark">Read more...</a></strong></p> </div> <div class=" unit"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/new_generation_new_rebellion.html" rel="bookmark">New generation, new rebellion</a></h3> <div class="meta"> by <span class="vcard author"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/mark_darcy/">Mark D'Arcy</a></span> on <abbr class="published" title="2010-10-15T12:08:16+00:00">12:08 UK time, Friday, 15 October 2010</abbr> <span class="separator">|</span> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/new_generation_new_rebellion.html#comments" title="Comments made about this entry." rel="comments">Comments (1) </a> </div> <p>New generations are very much in vogue in Westminster - but one of the most significant emerged on Wednesday night - when a new generation of eurosceptics backed an amendment from the Conservative radical Douglas Carswell, calling on the government...</p> <p><strong><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/new_generation_new_rebellion.html#more" rel="bookmark">Read more...</a></strong></p> </div> </div> </div>  </div>  <div class="cleardiv"></div> <div id="explore"> <div class="more content"> <h2><a name="jump_more"></a>More from this blog...</h2>  <div class="grids"> <div class="unit topical"> <div class="title"><h3>Topical posts on this blog</h3></div> <div class="inner"> <div id="beingdiscussedNow"> <h2>Being Discussed Now</h2> <ul class="dna-list"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/detailed_scrutiny.html">Detailed scrutiny</a><span>(1)</span></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/a_nasty_mess_of_porridge.html">A nasty mess of porridge</a><span>(6)</span></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/does_mr_afriyie_have_a_plan_to.html">Does Mr Afriyie have a plan to scupper IPSA?</a><span>(2)</span></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/revenge_may_be_sweet.html">Revenge may be sweet...</a><span>(3)</span></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/next_weeks_business_1.html">Next week's business</a><span>(2)</span></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/new_generation_new_rebellion.html">New generation, new rebellion</a><span>(1)</span></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/more_changes_on_committee_corr.html">More changes on committee corridor?</a><span>(2)</span></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/slow_-_but_successful_-_progre.html">Slow - but successful - progress</a><span>(1)</span></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/strains_of_office.html">Strains of office</a><span>(1)</span></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/next_weeks_business.html">Next week's business</a><span>(4)</span></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="unit archives">  <div class="title"><h3>Archives</h3></div> <div class="inner"> <p><strong>Past twelve months</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/10/">October 2010 (17)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/09/">September 2010 (12)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/07/">July 2010 (21)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/06/">June 2010 (22)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/05/">May 2010 (18)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/04/">April 2010 (5)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/03/">March 2010 (29)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/02/">February 2010 (25)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/01/">January 2010 (23)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2009/12/">December 2009 (18)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2009/11/">November 2009 (31)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2009/10/">October 2009 (1)</a></li> </ul> <p class="all"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/archives.html">complete archive</a></p> </div>  </div> <div class="unit authors"> <div class="title"><h3>Latest contributors</h3></div> <div class="inner"> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/mark_darcy_blog_administrator/">Mark D'Arcy Blog Administrator</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/mark_darcy/">Mark D'Arcy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>  </div> </div> </div>  </div> <div id="blq-mast" class="blq-rst blq-new-nav" lang="en-GB"> <div id="id-status" class="id-out"><h2 class="blq-hide">BBC iD</h2><ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/signin?target_resource=http%3A%2F%2Fidentity%2Fpolicies%2Fdna%2Fadult" id="idSignin" class="blq-nogo has-ptrt">Sign in</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/register?target_resource=http%3A%2F%2Fidentity%2Fpolicies%2Fdna%2Fadult" id="idRegister" class="blq-nogo has-ptrt">Register</a></li></ul></div> <form method="get" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://search.bbc.co.uk/search" accept-charset="utf-8"> <p> <input type="hidden" name="go" value="toolbar"/> <input type="hidden" name="uri" value="/blogs/markdarcy/"/> <label for="blq-search" class="blq-hide">Search term:</label> <input id="blq-search" type="text" name="q" value="" maxlength="128"/> <input id="blq-search-btn" type="submit" value="Search"/> </p> </form> <h2 class="blq-hide">bbc.co.uk navigation</h2> <ul id="blq-nav-main" class="blq-not-uk"> <li id="blq-nav-n"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/" hreflang="en-GB">News</a></li> <li id="blq-nav-s"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/" hreflang="en-GB">Sport</a></li> <li id="blq-nav-w"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/" hreflang="en-GB">Weather</a></li> <li id="blq-nav-tr"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.com/travel/" hreflang="en-GB">Travel</a> </li> <li id="blq-nav-t"><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/" hreflang="en-GB">TV</a></li> <li id="blq-nav-r"><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/" hreflang="en-GB">Radio</a></li> <li id="blq-nav-m"><a href="#blq-nav">More…</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="blq-nav" class="blq-blue blq-rst"> <div id="blq-nav-links" class="blq-clearfix" lang="en-GB"> <div id="blq-nav-links-inner"> <h3 class="blq-hide">A to F</h3> <ol class="blq-nav-sub blq-first"> <li><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/">CBBC</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/">CBeebies</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/">Food</a></li> </ol> <h3 class="blq-hide">H to Le</h3> <ol class="blq-nav-sub"> <li><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/">Health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/">History</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/">Learning</a></li> </ol> <h3 class="blq-hide">Lo to Z</h3> <ol class="blq-nav-sub blq-last"> <li><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/local/">Nations & Local</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/">Music</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/">Science & Nature</a></li> </ol> </div> <div id="blq-nav-foot"><div> <h3 class="blq-hide">Popular links</h3> <ul id="blq-pop">  <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/merlin">Merlin</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictly">Strictly</a></li> </ul> <p id="blq-az"><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/a-z/">Full A-Z<span class="blq-hide"> of BBC sites</span></a></p> <p class="blq-hide"><a href="#blq-nav-links-inner">Back to start of navigation</a></p></div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="blq-foot" lang="en-GB" class="blq-rst blq-clearfix blq-foot-grey"> <div id="blq-footlinks"> <h2 class="blq-hide">BBC links</h2> <ul id="blq-bbclinks"> <li> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/">About the BBC</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/help/">BBC Help</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/">Contact Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/">Accessibility Help</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/terms/">Terms of Use</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/jobs/">Jobs</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/privacy/">Privacy & Cookies</a> </li> <li> <a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc.com/furtherinformation/">Advertise With Us</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="bbccom_bottom" class="bbccom_display_none" style="width:468px; text-align:right;"> <script type="text/javascript">BBC.adverts.write("bottom",true);</script> </div> <script type="text/javascript">BBC.adverts.show("bottom");</script> <p id="blq-copy"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/frameworks/barlesque/1.5.2//desktop/2.5/img/footer_blocks_grey.gif" width="68" height="21" alt="BBC"/> © MMX</p> <p id="blq-disclaim"><a href="/web/20101021164033/http://www.bbc.co.uk/help/web/links/">The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.</a></p> <div id="blq-obit"><p><strong>This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.</strong></p></div> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/bbcdotcom/0.3.21/script/vs.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://js.revsci.net/gateway/gw.js?csid=J08781"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> DM_tag(); </script>  <script type="text/javascript"> _qoptions={ qacct:"p-ccrmZLtMqYB8w" }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://edge.quantserve.com/quant.js"></script> <noscript> <div> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-ccrmZLtMqYB8w.gif" style="display: none;" height="1" width="1" alt="Quantcast"/> </div> </noscript>   <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033js_/http://static.bbc.co.uk/bbcdotcom/0.3.21/script/s_code.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"></script> <script type="text/javascript"></script><noscript><div><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/http://www.omniture.com/" title="Web Analytics"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://bbc.112.2o7.net/b/ss/bbcwglobalprod/1/H.21--NS/0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/></a></div></noscript>   <script type="text/javascript"> document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033/https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js' %3E%3C/script%3E"));</script> <script type="text/javascript"> COMSCORE.beacon({ c1:2, c2:"6035051", c3:"", c4:"www.live.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/", c5:"", c6:"", c15:"" }); </script> <noscript> <div> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20101021164033im_/http://b.scorecardresearch.com/b?c1=2&c2=6035051&c3=&c4=www.live.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/&c5=&c6=&c15=&cv=1.3&cj=1" style="display:none" width="0" height="0" alt=""/> </div> </noscript>  </div> </body> </html>