Let’s start with some updates on stories we’ve previously covered here on The Voice.

Conservative London Assembly member Brian Coleman has backed down from his attempt to ban questions to him at London Fire Authority meetings.

The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) is to investigate the Daily Telegraph, following complaints from Tim Farron and others that the newspaper had gone on a fishing expedition rather than having the sort of public interest case which justifies journalistic subterfuge. On the substantive policy issue at stake, Ofcom look set to recommend that the Sky bid should be referred to the Competition Commission.

We’ve occasionally covered the travails of the Conservatives on Sefton Council over the years. The latest news, as carried by Birkdale Focus, is that three Conservative councillors have suspended and one quit. In recent years the Conservatives there have had two leaders quit, one suspended and a fourth suspended twice. Tory Mayors have not done much better with one quitting, one being deselected and one – again – being suspended twice. Two treasurers have also been arrested in amongst the long list of incidents enumerated on Birkdale Focus.

All has not been wonderful on the Lib Dem local government front, however, with a deselected councillor in Eastleigh quitting the party and being followed by two colleagues who have also left, joining him as independents. Two councillors have also left in Winchester.