I was interested to see that the European Parliament had backed a call for MEP’s not to employ relatives during a vote in Strasbourg.

I have to say I do agree with the comments of Labour’s Gary Titley when he says what is important for him is that MEPs’ staff should be qualified and doing a job and that the system is transparent.

And I can understand the disappointment of Lib Dem MEP Diana Wallis, whose husband Stewart Arnold, is her right hand man in Brussels and I know personally that he does a first class job for Diana.

Although Ms Wallis’ comments did surprise me when she said “I really wonder whether my future lies here”.

If that is the case then surely the Party needs to know sooner rather than later with the list already decided for the 2009 elections if Ms Wallis is to step down so that others can get on with planning for next year’s campaign.

But is this really a resigning matter for an established, well respected MEP who is currently one of the Parliament’s Vice-Presidents??

I don’t think so.

April 1st – a good day to watch out for those silly pranks and office jokes! A busy time too for all of us involved in politics with the local elections only one month away and many of us are busy running around getting nomination papers signed before the deadline this Friday.

It looks as though there are going to be more contests this year in Knowsley with every seat contested, especially in Kirkby where in previous years some of those wards have not been contested.

But the proposals for the Tesco/Everton stadium development have certainly got people fired up in that community and it will be interesting to see just how things go in those contests.

The outcome would provide us with a clearer picture of just how strong the opposition is to the plans – almost like having a referendum!!