Why do some MP's find it so difficult to stand up for a principle?

I have previously commented on the case of Gary McKinnon, who on the face of things had significant cross party support in his fight against extradition to the USA.

Well, that's what we thought until yesterday's parliamentary debate on the UK – USA extradition arrangements.

74 of the Labour MP's who had previously signed parliamentary motions supporting Mr McKinnon didn't have the courage to vote with the opposition parties at the end of the debate.

59 of these MP's supported the government and 15 abstained.

This was unspeakably craven and hypocritical of them – they have put party loyalty above their principles and doing the “right thing”.

It goes to show that when it comes to signing a pretty meaningless motion that will score good “brownie points” in the press, these unprincipled socialists will be at the front of the queue.

However when asked to take action that might just make a difference they kow-tow to the party whip.

Shame on them!!

In the interests of fairness it is worth noting that 10 Labour MP's stood by their principles and voted with the opposition, so well done to:

Keith Vaz

Kate Hoey

Jim Devine

Jeremy Corbyn

Lynne Jones

John McDonnell

Mohammed Sarwar

Alan Simpson

Paul Flynn

Andrew McKinlay

If you want to see which Labour MP's were so gutless on this issue click here.

There was a worrying article in the Mail the other day (nothing unusual in that) about future energy provision in the UK.

There is a real concern that in the near future, as older coal and nuclear power stations are decommissioned, that replacements won't be ready.

Christopher Booker's article stated that we are going to retire 17 power stations in the near future as they either come to the end of their working lives or fall foul of EU legislation.

In recent years the Government (both Conservative & New Labour) have been frightened to make a call on the future strategy for electricity generation and now we are potentially near to the point where the “lights will be going out”.

Although I accept that “alternative energy” will have a role to play in meeting the UK's energy needs it has been obvious for years that the only pragmatic solution would be to invest and develop a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Sadly the political courage required to make this call has been lacking and as a result we are now in the position that:

(1) Energy from wave power – this technology isn't adequately developed for large scale generation

(2) Wind energy – apart from being an unsightly blot on the landscape only a fantasist would believe that wind power will make a significant contribution to future energy needs. Interestingly the UK's only producer of wind turbines has just gone out of business!

(3) Coal power – the carbon capture technology needed isn't developed or tested on the scale required for new power stations

(4) Westinghouse – the UK's only supplier of nuclear reactors was sold to Toshiba meaning the UK lost control of its future supply of the equipment we will need in the next few years.

(5) Gas – may be an answer but would expose us to being energy dependent on Russia which isn't the most appealing position to be in!

All worrying stuff - it looks to me that our national government has been seriously negligent in delaying the deployment of a proper energy strategy.

Tennis isn’t really my favourite sport but I have to admit that yesterdays Wimbledon Men’s Final was compelling viewing.

Andy Roddick performed incredibly well in defeat, apparently far better than expected, and Roger Federer confirmed his status as the pre eminent tennis player of the modern era.

The Tour de France started on Saturday in Monaco and after only 2 days it is great to see that a British competitor, Mark Cavendish, already has a stage victory to celebrate.

Cycling seems to be a growing and successful sport in Britain and it is pleasing to see that Mark Cavendish, who missed out on an Olympic medal at Beijing last year, has already made an impact in what is arguably the most gruelling sporting event in the world.

Cavendish won 4 stages in last year’s race and I hope and expect him to do at least as well this year.

Finally, well done to the British (& Irish) Lions for a well deserved victory over the South Africans in Johannesburg.

The 3 match series has been closely fought over the last 3 weekends and there has been very little to separate 2 formidable teams – perhaps if a couple of refereeing decisions had gone the Lion’s way there would have been a series victory to reflect on?