There is clearly something going on in Westminster North, and no doubt more will come out about what it is.

But can we please be careful about promoting the idea it is “due to pregnancy” until there is some foundation for that.

The headline correctly says ’speculation’ but it’s barely even speculation, as Gaby Hinsliff “I hope it isn’t because” wasn’t trying to claim she had any info about the cause of the resignation, which she had just heard about.

Perhaps the latest Cash tweet suggests a restoration of the candidate may be being discussed.

The Mail claims that “The Conservative leader is thought to have made a frantic phone call last night to sort the problem out. He is close to Miss Cash and her husband and is believed to have ‘parachuted’ her into the position … Miss Cash is married to Octavius Black, who wrote the book Mind Gym and is an Old Etonian friend of David Cameron”.

Though “is thought to have” sounds pretty speculative piece of reporting there too.

I hope she does stand.

There aren’t enough MP’s married to people who sound like they are characters in a Harry Potter book.

Speculation about this case aside, isn’t it possible that a woman who discovers she is pregnant might decide that fighting a general election campaign and becoming an MP is no longer her top priority, without the involvement of a “Tory Taliban”?

Mystifying….I can’t really think of any part of the Tory party (or of any other party) that objects to a married woman getting pregnant.

Well done Tories! 21st century conservatism in action!

To be clear I also think she’s quite a good candidate – one of the very few Tory PPCs I think that of.

Sunder – but as Gaby Hinsliff says, I think it’s important to at least ask if anyone thought her pregnancy meant she couldn’t do the job properly. The issue doesn’t deserve to be brushed under the carpet so easily (not saying you’re advocating this)…

Tory Taliban. In Westminster? Norfolk South-West yes (they were a small minority there), but I doubt in any urban area.

Perhaps rather than jumping on things like this, Sunny should wait and see. After all, it is entirely possible that Ms Cash left for reasons such as changing her mind or personal reasons that she does not want to share (and as a now private individual, does not have to do so). And this might include pregnancy.

Incidentally, anyone know what the procedure for a female MP having a child is – can they get maternity leave, and if so who represents their constituents?

“Incidentally, anyone know what the procedure for a female MP having a child is – can they get maternity leave, and if so who represents their constituents?”

As MPs make up their own minds about working hours, attendance in the House and so on, whether they get maternity leave is really a little moot. They get the same salary whether they do lots or nothing.

As to replacements for them, no, there’s no system at all (some countries do have such systems….it’s a great deal easier when you’ve a party list system. There was one MEP (not UK…Sweden maybe?) who had maternity leave and the next person on the list, the first not elected originally, stepped up to take the seat temporarily).

Perhaps rather than jumping on things like this, Sunny should wait and see. After all, it is entirely possible that Ms Cash left for reasons such as changing her mind or personal reasons that she does not want to share (and as a now private individual, does not have to do so). And this might include pregnancy.

Most likely, from everything I’ve heard (and she is, or was, my PPC) was a personality clash with the new Constituency Chairman. And I would have thought it’s far from impossible that this will all blow over and she’ll stay as the candidate.

Westminster North is not famous for its hidebound reactionary nature. The idea that she’s been forced to resign because she’s pregnant is extremely far-fetched – and the only place I’ve seen it mentioned is here.

Liberal Conspiracy – “Our aim is to re-vitalise the liberal-left through discussion and action”

And how, pray, does this “story” further your aims…?

The idea that she’s been forced to resign because she’s pregnant is extremely far-fetched – and the only place I’ve seen it mentioned is here.

I’m reflecting what some people are saying on twitter and what I’ve gotten by emails. I’ve also pointed out above that this is speculation (and should be treated as such) and that since parties on both sides have a tradition of sweeping stuff like it underneath the carpet – the question should be asked.

I’m reflecting what some people are saying on twitter and what I’ve gotten by emails. I’ve also pointed out above that this is speculation (and should be treated as such) and that since parties on both sides have a tradition of sweeping stuff like it underneath the carpet – the question should be asked.

So not like Gordon Brown’s use of anti-depressants then? You know, a private matter about which there’s lots of speculation but no proof.

As a rule of thumb I generally assume anything in the Daily Hitler is false.

Does CCHQ appoint constituency officers?

ConservativeHome comment thread on the developing story: One contributor describes Cash’s behaviour as a “bitch-fit”.

This is significant because Seats and Candidates is a blog with pre-moderated comments. A moderator made an explicit decision that this language was acceptable.

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/goldlist/2010/02/joanne-cash-reinstated-as-tory-candidate-for-westminster-north.html#comment-6a00d83451b31c69e20120a87f1a64970b

Have updated the story. The account by Paul Waugh is fascinating… and hilarious.

Like Tim J, I’m in Westminster North and like everyone else here (it seems) I hope it will blow over. Joanne Cash was extremely helpful to the local health campaign I was involved in, although more as a lawyer than as a Tory.

Today’s torygraph is even better. Apparently there was a row about lost campaign data due to copious quantities of gay porn downloaded onto an association computer.

Maybe they have changed?