We don't normally report on readoptions of sitting Conservative MPs but I am pleased to confirm that John Bercow was readopted as the Conservative candidate for Buckingham last night. A local Conservative told me that Mr Bercow made an "excellent" speech. That's one name that the Chief Whip can strike off his defection watchlist.
Today's Daily Mail reports "grassroots fury" at Newark and Retford MP Patrick Mercer and Buckingham MP John Bercow - who agreed to undertake advisory roles for Gordon Brown last week.
The article by Ben Brogan provides little substance for believing that serious efforts will be made at deselection, however.
The strongest on-the-record quotation that could be found against Mr Mercer came from the leader of the Tory group on Newark and Sherwood council, Tony Roberts. Cllr Roberts told The Mail: "The bulk of people I have spoken to have concerns."
The strongest quote against Mr Bercow was still weaker. County councillor Bill Chappell said: "I would feel happier if John was feeding his expert knowledge into the Conservative machine."
More angry is the Conservative leadership. On Friday night Sir Malcolm Rifkind was authorised to attack Gordon Brown for making political appointments in order to score party political points.
Messrs Bercow and Mercer were criticised on last night's Westminster Hour programme by their fellow Conservative MP Nadine Dorries. Nadine Dorries said that opposition MPs were paid and elected to oppose the government and hold it to account. This did not mean that they had to be negative and confrontational, she said, but the two MPs were wrong to work for Gordon Brown.
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