It may be cool and damp outside, but the atmosphere in the Palace of Westminster (and the other parliamentary buildings) is fever hot. Tony Blair will take his last 'PMQs' at noon tomorrow, then will go to the Palace to tender his resignation. Shortly afterwards Gordon Brown will be invited to became Prime Minister and form a new government. Everyone is on tenderhooks - and there is a real 'gossip-fest'. Who will be in? who will be out? Individual MPs and Peers await news of their own futures. Soon they will know.
Last night the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) held its weekly meeting. A very detailed account of this private meeting appeared on the midnight news on BBC Radio Four. A report can be found at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6239620.stm There were certainly a lot of journalists waiting outside. Somehow news leaked out! Presentations were made to Tony Blair of a guitar and to John Prescott of a stand to hold drinks decanters. The meeting was packed.
Tonight a reception will be held on the terrace by the Fabian Society. It will no doubt be packed with Labour MPs and Peers. The earnest speculation will continue - "for whenever two or three are gathered together, the spectre of a major reshuffle will be with them"
