We fight on say Labour MPs (as other quit)
As a political reporter, I thought is sensible to phone round MPs to see if they will follow a growing number of colleagues in announcing that they will be stepping down at the next general election.
And some of the answers were very interesting. I was accused of being "impertinent" by Labour grandee Sir Stuart Bell (Middlesbrough) of even asking the question. He did not actually answer the question - while one minister reckons he could go...
Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland, who has been caught up in the expenses crisis, said: "I have been selected as the candidate for Gateshead for the next election."
Pressed on what that meant, the Labour MP declined to say anything further.
North Tyneside MP Stephen Byers is another one who has yet to return my call. I just wonder what he will do given that other Blairites are going and he himself called for Gordon Brown to go.
Durham City's Roberta Blackman-Woods is a Labour MP facing a potential challenge from the Lib Dems.
She said: "My intention at the moment is to stay on and fight the election. That is what I am working towards. It is not my intention to stand down."
Labour stalwart Ronnie Campbell, who represents Blyth Valley, provided a classic response.
"I have got bags of years left in me. I am still a young man," said the 65-year-old.
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