Span speculates on whether today's retirements from Cabinet will also equal retirements from Parliament at the next election, and predicts a glut of retirements in 2008. But thanks to MMP there's another option for bringing new blood on board: some of those MPs who lost their seats but were re-elected on the list ([cough] Jim Sutton [cough]) could retire mid-term, and simply be replaced by the next candidate on the list. This would allow Labour to begin that vital process of renewal, and go into the 2008 election with a few more fresh faces, rather than relying on the same tired old ones.
Hell I hadn't thought of that! My word that does open up quite an interesting set of options. They'd be able to bring in a new impact player mid-term - Charles Chauvel first and then Lesley Soper could get another crack at the whip (and another chance to try and get a higher list spot for 2008).
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