Debate on Afghanistan?
The Labour backbencher, , has tabled an Early Day Motion calling for a Commons debate on Afghanistan - so far it's attracted 19 Labour signatures.
EDMs, as the cognisant know, are motions to be debated on an early day, which through the mysteries of Commons procedure never actually arrives.
This one has attracted a distinguished contingent of awkward squad MPs: Frank Field, Alan Simpson, Kim Howells, Peter Kilfoyle, John McDonnell, Diane Abbott, Colin Challen, Katy Clark, Harry Cohen, Frank Cook, Jeremy Corbyn, David Drew, Mark Fisher, Neil Gerrard, Greg Pope, David Taylor, Derek Wyatt and Rudi Vis.
They're calling for a debate soon after next week's state opening of the 2009-10 session of Parliament, on the UK's role in Afghanistan, the objectives of this intervention and the timescale over which the government believes these goals will be achieved.
And they want that debate to be is based on a motion that is amendable, presumably so they can have their own views voted upon; and they want the prime minister to open it.
I'm Mark D'Arcy and I'll be writing about what goes on in the chambers and committee rooms at Westminster.
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