True Blue

Amid the verbally hoodie-hugging, virtually green-talking, moderately Muslim-condoning whirlwind of political near-reform that is Daveybloke, it is refreshing to see that traditional Conservative values are still intact. The executive of the North Wiltshire Conservative Association voted to deselect James Gray when he was indiscreet enough to let it become known that he cheated on his wife of twenty-nine years while she was under treatment for cancer. A postal ballot of the membership has reinstated him, proving that whatever the whims of Westminster, Back to Basics, Family Values and good old healthy country ways are not yet dead. In accepting the result, Gray spoke of delight and humility - in that order, naturally - and made coy mention of "an MP's divorce"; so evidently we may take it that his wife has been considerate enough to stay alive; and that, in keeping with traditional Conservative values, the act of adultery bothers him less than the payment of alimony.