James Purnell Stands Down! Joy!

If I wasn't so busy clapping and doing my happy dance, I'd be wondering why this has happened:

Former cabinet minister James Purnell has announced he will leave Parliament at the general election.

The excuse about Purnell not wanting to spend all of his life in frontline politics really doesn't wash with me, since everything the man has done thus far in his sorry excuse for a career positively exudes the feeling of "let me get to the top! Make me leader!"

Still, no matter. Because there can be few lamenting the loss of James Purnell, and his ridiculous hair, from Parliament. Not even members of his own party, given Purnell's actions this summer over Brown's leadership. And I know I will not be alone in celebrating the fact that we have lost/got rid of another preening Blairite lackwit come the next election.

Goodbye, Jimmy P. It seems ironic yet inevitable that deciding to stand down as MP will almost certainly come to be know as your best and most honourable decision during your time in Parliament. And if you really want to make your departure even better, you could try taking Andy Burnham with you as leave the Commons for the final time.