The big story this morning is that "disgraced former Cabinet Minister" (as the Guardian describes him) Jonathan Aitken has been asked by the Boy Cameron to lead a study on penal reform on behalf of the Centre for Social Justice, which advises the Conservatives on matters of policy. "Don't send… read more…

11:59 A couple of minutes to go until Welsh Questions winds up, and Westmonster would like it noted that it appears to be House of Commons Loud Tie Day, with both Peter Hain and Jack Straw wearing eye-watering confections. Looking good, gents. 12:00 Here we go. Harriet wrestles aside the… read more…

Well, it looks like the Boy George, with his Oxford Union Debating Society stylings, has sent the Gord off to Baghdad. Nothing like reminding the anti-war middle classes to whom Osborne was appealing yesterday that one of the most resented decisions of the previous PM (Tony something, wasn't it?) is… read more…

Oliver Letwin is Doris Stokes, and Westmonster claims her £5. In an interview conducted with the Independent yesterday Letwin was asked, inter alia, whether the Tory Party had underestimated Gordon Brown. His response: No. As a matter of fact, we had a presentation before he took over, which predicted… read more…

Arnold Schwarzenegger disappointed Conservatives a few months ago when he announced that he couldn't address their Conference in person because he didn't want to be tarred by association with a crappy brand was washing his hair. Nevertheless, he managed to chat to the Tories via video link yesterday, and… read more…