On this day in 1956, the British authorities ordered the deportation of the Greek Cypriot leader, Archbishop Makarios, in the hope of restoring law and order to the island.

Thirty seven years ago today, the people of Northern Ireland voted overwhelmingly to remain within the United Kingdom. In a referendum on the future of the province, 591,280 people (57%) of the electorate voted to retain links with the UK. A poll boycott by the nationalist population meant that only 6,463 voted in favour of a united Ireland.

2 must-read blog posts

Bridget Fox brings us up to date with Lib Dem action on the Digital Economy Bill, where ‘It’s been a classic example of a week being a long time in politics’.

Mark Thompson poses the maybe rhetorical question ‘Why are the Tories not using David Davis more?’, concluding ‘Cameron should not leave Davis languishing on the backbenches’.

2 interesting news stories

The Times: Lord Ashcroft plans to be media mogul 

Lord Ashcroft, the billionaire Tory donor, will quit frontline politics after the general election and plans to reinvent himself as a media tycoon. Ashcroft, who is poised to step down from his post as head of the Tories’ campaign in marginal seats, already has interests in two political websites [ConservativeHome & PoliticsHome].

However, it is understood that he is planning to make an investment that could lead to him going head-to-head with the internet sites of national newspapers and the BBC.

Telegraph: California state senator who opposed gay rights announces he is homosexual

Roy Ashburn, a California state senator who has staunchly opposed gay rights has announced that he is homosexual. Mr Ashburn said he felt compelled to address rumours that he had visited a gay nightclub near the Capitol before his arrest [for driving under the influence of alcohol].

Over 14 years in office, Ashburn has voted against a number of gay rights measures, including efforts to expand anti-discrimination laws and recognise out-of-state gay marriages.

That’s all for today folks. Looking forward to seeing many of you in Birmingham at the weekend.