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News, gossip and insight from PoliticsHome Editor Paul Waugh
Wednesday 9th January 2013 | 09:28
What is it about Jan 9th?
Jonathan Marland (who had his political death foretold in my blog last night) is set to formally announce he is stepping down from the Government today.
But what is it about January 9th that makes it the day for Tory ministerial resignations?
It was on this day that Anthony Eden quit as PM in 1957. Fastforward to January 9 1986 and Michael Heseltine flounced out of Cabinet too.
Is it all part of a post-Christmas ennui, a gaze at the New Years' Resolutions and dawning realisation that life has to change?
In Rochdale, as our football club's early season promise faded over the festive period, we used to say "the Dale always come down with the Christmas lights'.
Maybe ministerial comedowns are prompted by just the same kind of sinking feeling....
November 2010