Remembering

Gordon Brown and David Cameron were not the only politicians to get themselves photographed in the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey, although other politicians managed to get snapped without so much fuss.

Conwy Labour MP Betty Williams was photographed as she planted a cross in memory of the citizens of Conwy who lost their lives in conflicts.

She told her own website: "It was a privilege once more, and for my final time as MP for Conwy, to be able to plant a cross in the Field of Remembrance in the grounds of Westminster Abbey today as an act of remembrance for citizens of Conwy constituency who gave their lives to secure our freedom."

An Abbey spokesman told me: "We don't have a problem with that but if high-profile politicians come we would like a bit of notice".

Archbishop Mandelson and William Hague's in-laws

Another former Welsh Secretary is turning into the star of the dissolution debate.

William Hague has been making the most of Gordon Brown's recent difficulties and the unstoppable rise of Peter Mandelson.

The Commons filled noticeably as Mr Hague spoke: "The unelected Prime Minister has managed to produce the most powerful unelected deputy since Henry VIII appointed Cardinal Wolsey except Cardinal Wolsey was more sensitive in his handling of colleagues than Lord Mandelson."

Lord Mandelson, said the former Tory leader, had gone around collecting titles and even whole government departments, with eleven Ministers working under him. Mr Hague read out the full list of titles:

"The right honourable the Baron Mandelson of Foy in the county of Heredfordshire and Hartlepool in the county of Durham, First Secretary of State and and Lord President of the Privy Council and Secretary of State for Business and Secretary of State for Innovation and Skills.

"It would be no surprise to wake up in the morning and find he'dbecome an Archbishop".

Mr Hague also gave another insight into Hague family life, in exchanges with Conwy MP Betty Williams.

"I'm not afraid of any lady from Wales, other than my mother-in-law."

Myra Jenkins's response is not yet known.

On message

New Labour was often teased for forcing its MPs to speak from the same hymn sheet.

Some things have changed under Gordon Brown's "government of all the talents" but Labour backbenchers appear to have stuck to the habit.

Here's Betty Williams MP (left with International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander) on Fairtrade Fortnight:

“Fairtrade helps support seven million people in the developing world.

"Our shopping habits can make a real difference to the world’s poorest people. By buying food and presents from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty.

And here's Colin Burgon, Labour MP for Elmet, on the same subject: "Fairtrade helps support seven million people in the developing world.

"Our shopping habits can make a real difference to the world’s poorest people. By buying food and presents from developing countries we will help grow their economies and reduce poverty."

Mrs Williams added: “Already the UK’s demand for African fruit and vegetables benefits a million farmers and their families. By consumers and retailers acting together to promote and buy goods from developing countries we can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.”

Mr Burgon added: "Already the UK’s demand for African fruit and vegetables benefits a million farmers and their families. By consumers and retailers acting together to promote and buy goods from developing countries we can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.”

It's not the first time Betty Williams has fallen victim to the "great minds think alike" syndrome that affects Labour backbenchers but I prefer not to believe the idea that charities just knock out quotes for MPs to publish in their own name.

Great minds....

I know what you're all thinking: who's that with Betty Williams?

Apparently he's some chap called Monty Panesar, who plays cricket for England.

He was doubtless impressed to meet the Conwy MP, and the feeling was certainly mutual.

She said, “There are millions of people in the UK who are at risk of developing cardio vascular disease within the next ten years. Screening tests such as Lloydspharmacy’s Cholesterol and Heart Check are therefore increasingly important in identifying those most at risk; allowing them to minimise their chances of CVD by making lifestyle changes or, where necessary, seeking treatment at an early stage."

Mrs Williams's colleague Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent South was equally impressed:

“There are millions of people in the UK who are at risk of developing cardio vascular disease within the next ten years. Screening tests such as Lloydspharmacy’s Cholesterol and Heart Check are therefore increasingly important in identifying those most at risk; allowing them to minimise their chances of CVD by making lifestyle changes or, where necessary, seeking treatment at an early stage."

There's on-message and there's on-message, but isn't it slightly strange that two Labour MPs spontaneously offer the identical phrase - complete with gratuitous plug for a private company?

Charities appear to be equally successful at persuading MPs to sing from the same songsheet.

Here's Betty Williams on healthy living: “I’m really concerned that many people are not aware that changes to their diet and maintaining an active lifestyle could improve their health and reduce their risk of developing cancer."

Her concern is shared - word-for-word - by Labour colleague Tony Lloyd and the Conservative MP Andrew Selous.

Another case of great minds thinking alike, no doubt.

The hardest word

Westminster is a slightly calmer place today - not even an Alistair Darling emergency statement to keep us busy.

On Thursday, as Commons leader Harriet Harman sets out future business, MPs can seize precious parliamentary time to raise the issues that matter most to their constituents.

Poverty, climate change, world peace, missing child benefit records? MPs can also use it to score a few party political points. Conwy Labour MP Betty Williams raised the misuse by Plaid Cymru MPs of the communications allowance.

Ms Harman told her: "The committee on standards and privileges takes abuse of the communications allowance very seriously and rightly so as it brings our honest use of the communication allowance and the reputation of the House into disrepute."

Plaid aren't the only ones to fall foul of the new allowance - Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has also had to write a cheque after using the allowance to publish leaflets viewed by some as propaganda.

Labour's desire to score points against their coalition partners is understandable in several ways. On April 26, Plaid Cymru's Caernarfon MP Hywel Williams wrote to Labour candidate Martin Eaglestone threatening him with legal action if he didn't retract, and apologise for, a suggestion the MPs had misused public funds.

Mr Williams gave a deadline of May 1. Mr Eaglestone didn't retract or apologise. He's still waiting for the Plaid legal squad to knock on his door.

Labour, too, will be waiting a long time for the apology demanded by Plaid for misuse of the funds.

Plaid parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd told BBC Wales he'd resist the invitation to say sorry: "Well, the committee don't so I think I'd rather listen to the committee than a few strange backbenchers with little axes to grind.

"If the committee had said apologise, clearly we would have done. The committee don't go anywhere near the word apology, so why should we?"

Thought provoking

Some provocative thoughts on what Welsh MPs do these days from a refugee from Peter Hain's Wales Office.

http://thebrazencars.blogspot.com/2007/07/strange-bedfellows-v-with-friends-like.html

The former Wales Office Minister, Don Touhig, for whom Andrew Neilson once acted as spokesman, gives his views on the potential coalition here - www.epolitx.com/mp3

I'm not giving too much away when I reveal that the words"suicide" and "trap" feature in the interview.

A leaked memo (are there any other sort?) suggests Conwy MP Betty Williams has also suggested she's less than keen on a deal with Plaid.

We had hoped to interview her on Good Evening Wales but her office said she was unable to travel to our studio opposite Parliament because it looks as if it's going to rain. (Her office did offer a telephone interview but most radio stations prefer broadcast quality).

The next 72 hours will be billed as momentous ones in the history of 21st century Wales.

I'll be taking a few days off to catch up with the Tour de France and run the Regents Park 10k but you can satisfy your appetite for coalition shenanigans at www.bbc.co.uk/walesnews.