A few months ago he was challenging for the leadership of his party but the disgraced Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten has announced that he will be leaving Westminster at the next General Election. After the News of the World exposed his liaisons with a rent boy he resigned as the LibDems' home affairs spokesman. He did not help his rehabilitation when he appeared to blame his behaviour on a midlife crisis triggered by rapid balding.
The Winchester Liberal Democrats have been in turmoil since the News of the World story and one local councillor recently defected to the Tories. The Tories took control of Winchester City Council on 4th May.
George Hollingbery, the Tory candidate for Winchester at last year's General Election, gave a perfectly pitched statement to the BBC about Mr Oaten's decision:
"There has been speculation that he should step down, so I'm not surprised. The recent district council elections here in Winchester also demonstrated that voters did not like what Mark did and voted his party from power. I wish him and his family the best of luck in their future. There is no doubt Mark has been a diligent MP for Winchester, but politically his time was over."
Sadly, this means more time for his new Car Crash TV productions. Joy.
Posted by: Richard Bailey | July 25, 2006 at 22:42
Shame. Would have done us a favour if he had stood.
Posted by: Andrew Woodman | July 25, 2006 at 22:50
Can't say I am suprised - but hurray all the same!
Posted by: Chris Palmer | July 25, 2006 at 22:53
I imagine that the Liberal Democrats will lose Winchester anyway, they have passed their high mark, their actual national vote in 2005 in terms of total numbers was still slightly below that of 1992, even assuming that maybe there was some effect on the Liberal Democrat vote of apathy at best it still leaves them way behind the Alliance results in the 1980's in terms of votes, with a recovery of turnout among Labour and Conservative vote they will lose a lot of the more unlikely seats they have taken and largely only hold onto seats through tactical voting.
Posted by: Yet Another Anon | July 25, 2006 at 23:08
perfect? I think in the circs he could just have wished them well?
Posted by: edmund | July 25, 2006 at 23:31
I can't help but think that MP's and all those wishing and waiting in line to grab themselves the same career path should always pause and be mindful to the quoted line, 'All political careers ends in failure' and indeed there has been a long line of them right across of political spectrum!, so then for Mark he can at least have comfort in knowing that he wasn't the first nor either be the last, as it's next customers Del boy Tony and cowboy John are fast approaching the front of the line to be served there equal fate.
Posted by: Chris Ryder | July 26, 2006 at 00:22
more time for the rentboi then......
Posted by: mack | July 26, 2006 at 05:47
Anyone suprized in the least? His career in politics is long over.
Posted by: James Maskell | July 26, 2006 at 10:00
Chris Ryder said:
""....so then for Mark he can at least have comfort in knowing that he wasn't the first nor either be the last.""
True, but Mark (it seems we first-name the opposition on this Blog) - to hell with it, Oaten, must be the first and last (hopefully) to go for indulging in the particular disgusting extra-curricular activity to which his baldness brought him.
Posted by: John Coles | July 26, 2006 at 10:02
Ahem .. steady , thats a young gentleman of negotiable affection to you please ...
Well, sorry to see Mark go. I rather thought he was ok , for a LibDem.
Posted by: David Banks | July 26, 2006 at 10:03
I am sure he is no doubt delighted that he will now be free to pursue his 'interests'.
Posted by: Shane Greer | July 26, 2006 at 10:20
He didn't mention the big boundary changes....
Posted by: Justin Hinchcliffe | July 26, 2006 at 10:37
The priority list's Conor Burns could look into taking Winchester, he's fought Eastleigh a couple of times and has been local for over a decade...
Posted by: Hannibal | July 26, 2006 at 13:33