The news from Nigeria is deeply concerning, vulnerable communities are under attack and we should be supporting the Nigerian government in their efforts to stop lawlessness and barbarism. Whether it be in Africa, the Middle East or the streets of Britain I call on the new government to tackle radical Islamism.

Bertie Wilson MP held a small reception of party workers before speaking to the press from the front of Darlington Labour Club.

I am a strong-willed and proud Member of Parliament for Darlington and the Labour Party, and I am naturally glad to see the Conservative party ousted from power and the Labour party returned with the trust of the people. This trust of the people is a prize few can claim, and few can retain, but it is the fundamental principle by which I stand by in all walks of life. Without this trust in our politics, our politicians and political system I would be ashamed to be a Member of Parliament or any party. Fortunately, I do not believe this trust has been tarnished yet however there is that risk at all turns of government.

As I stand here on the steps of Darlington Labour Club, I have a message for the party; this deal is not in the best interest of the country or British faith in politics and the party. I have spoken at length with my local party; I have consulted the manifesto and examined, in detail, the final coalition deal provided to me. To this deal there are several aspects which I find perfectly amicable and agreeable. I have few scruples with swathes of health and education policy which is being implemented. Nor do I contest the commitment, which I have championed as shadow DWP secretary, the disastrous rollout of Universal Credit.

The deal goes against the fundamentals of trust that the Labour Party has gained in this election past; the deal does not bode well for the confidence of the British people in our politics. This deal has been contrived and conjured from weak understanding and what I sincerely believe to be a lacklustre approach to our key manifesto commitments. Flagship policies have been willingly surrendered to the whims and wills of the Liberal Democrats. The most fanciful dreams of Hansen-Charles could not be tamer than in comparison to this deal; it would be irresponsible of MPs to promote this deal; I shall not vote in favour of it without considerable changes to substantial areas that Ms Suchet has already been made aware and ignored my legitimate concerns upon.

I cannot with political decency or considerable pride in the party’s integrity support this deal. The consequences of abandoning key promises made to the public including the inability to acknowledge the damage in trust it will cause are ones I shall not undertake. I intend to remain as a Labour MP and represent the Darlington constituency. I wish to clarify and abundantly clear, I shall not serve in any position of this government whilst it continues supporting such a defacing of the party’s manifesto. Ms Suchet may nevertheless possess my confidence as Leader of the party and as Prime Minister of this country, but her Liberal Democrat blank cheque does not. I strongly urge in all my capacity that MPs reject this deal.

Mr Wilson MP briefly stood for photographs before returning inside the club.

The coalition deal that we have arrived at is a progressive and effective programme for government. It delivers on core Lib Dem pledges to fight poverty and lack of opportunity, distribute the burdens of smart deficit reduction fairly, and start addressing the long term challenges our nation faces such as industrial strategy, climate change and a rapidly changing world. It respects - rather than denies - both where our values and policies align and also where they part. It also assures that a vast majority of the goals in both manifestos will be worked towards, solidifying our democratic mandate.

The coalition is inevitable, but to assume it is natural is not fair - many Conservatives enjoy working with Liberals and I think the previous coalition was just as natural. 

What we are seeing here is a Labour led coalition with a socialist agenda with plenty of spending, and very little knowledge of where the money will come from apart from taxing the people into the poorhouse. Whilst the Conservatives will work to hold this Government to account, with any luck, the LibDems will have enough sense to try and keep the Prime Minister in check.

In the meantime, I am keen to ensure that value for money, common sense, and workable policy comes from this Government, including ensuring our police are adequately supported, and not pawed off as a voluntary service administrated by local authorities which are already facing extreme funding shortfalls.

The news from Syria that President Assad has used chemical weapons again to attack his own people must be the trigger for a national discussion in the Commons about our role in the conflict. The Conservative Party stand ready to support the Government should they quite sensibly wish to bring military intervention back to the table.

Vladimir Putin's illegal annexation of the Crimea is a move that comes out of the Middle Ages, it is nothing short of the desperate move of an international bully attempting to prevent the countries on their periphery from becoming more economically independent. Bullies like Putin will continue to act without regard for international law until the international community stands up to them. I welcome the EU, US, and UK efforts to sanction Russia and the Conservative Party stands ready to support the Government on this issue.

Week not Five But We'll Go With Five: Elections and stuff.

Verdict: Conservative victory.

As usual, the Tories are killing media and PR's this round (it's just too bad everything else has been... significantly shakier). Labour and the Lib Dems - the now government - were much more silent; they need to do better if they want to survive in the eyes of the media and thus the eyes of the electorate. If you're not going to defend yourself, let alone put down your opposite, but defend yourself at the very least, it's not going to end well. (Cough there's a press cycle Labour haven't contributed to). All I saw was a reflective statement from Manning, the coalition agreement, a nice statement but it was not on an election winning issue and then one of Labour's own tearing into their agreement. Not fun. 

The Lib Dems were as silent, so a little less attacked, so come out of this a bit better. But the Tories basically stormed it here. 

Remember, if it makes a good tweet, it will likely make a good PR so send it the press' way too. 

I was amazed today to sit beside the Shadow Chancellor and hear a full and frank admission from the Government that they have no idea how they are going to fill the shortfall presented by their accelerated spending and vastly reduced tax hikes as set out in the Coalition Agreement. Whilst the honesty is appreciated the British people deserve to know how the Government intends to keep up with its own targets.

Prostitution is paid rape and I will oppose any attempt by the government to legalise this harm. Instead of addressing the poverty and patriarchal structures of society that leads to prostitution the government has simply decided to support a very dangerous view that consent can be paid for. This is a betrayal of Labour values to create a society in which no one lives by the exploitation of another.

Conservative infighting reached a new - and especially disrespectful - level today with Sarah Bannantyne's attempt to censor Alex Cardigan. Alex Cardigan is a noted advocate of the Welsh language and his efforts there have been acknowledged on a cross-party basis - for Sarah Bannantyne to try and censor him, for speaking a language that lest we forget is one of the native languages of this island and has a rich history and heritage, is profoundly disrespectful. 

The Foreign Secretary's recent announcement that the government will not allow the British people to vote on potential changes to our membership to the European Union is yet another sign that Labour and the Liberal Democrats could care less about what the British people think about the EU. Their continued refusal to allow the British people a voice on a matter that affects all of our lives on a daily basis sets the tone for a government prepared to be out of touch with the need and desires of the public. This is a clear departure from previous commitments made by both parties; Tony Blair promised the British people a vote on the Lisbon Treaty, and Nick Clegg spoke openly about the need for a referendum on our EU membership. Now more than ever it's evident that these are going to be promises unmet, another hallmark of the all talk, no action government. 

Despite Labour's attempt to make a storm in a teacup with regards to the Tory position on Wales under my leadership the situation is settled. The Conservative Party overwhelmingly support the Welsh language, and we also support the Welsh nation as a distinct and equal part of our family of nations. The Conservative Party put forward a number of devolutionary proposals for the Welsh Assembly during the last election and we shall continue to push these policies and more besides into the new Parliament.

I am pleased the Government have decided to join our calls for the European Union to end the Tampon tax. We have always called for cross-party consensus from the very start, and I hope the Deputy Prime Minister accepts my call for cross-party consensus alongside our MEPs.

Tampons and other sanitary products are outrageously taxed as 'luxury goods', and it is high time this tax was need altogether, like it is such in Ireland. This is because they rate was set at 0% before they joined, and they were allowed to keep it as such. We only ask that we be allowed to now set it as such, but cause it far past the time for action on this matter, and request the EU take note.

Week 6: Europeans and Prostitutes and the Welsh... oh my!

Short press cycle, probably because I took too long to mark the former. 

Verdict: Tory win. Except in Wales. They did not win there. 

Yeah, Labour. Defend yourself. The only Labour comment on this press cycle was about how shitty Labour's policy was - this isn't good or desirable, and probably hurts more than any of the Tory comments! Anita Redmond is probably the best Tory player at outlining a positive case for voting for the Tories, as opposed to Labour being (not my words... although I guess not yours either!) shite.

Too bad you went down a lot less well in Wales. Your brand is already toxic and these stupid, silly slipups can have long term consequences - no matter how much deflection or devolution policy you pepper about. The Lib Dems capitalised on this well, even if I wish I felt their presence a little more this press cycle. 

It is not reasonable for a party to suspend a member purely for admitting to not voting the party line in every election and for acknowledging the role candidate quality and local considerations have in council elections. That was all Alex Cardigan did. He did not campaign for rival parties and oppose Tory candidates, but merely acknowledged that sometimes tribal party politics was not the right approach. This is a disproportionate response and a very shocking one. Alex Cardigan has long been a brave and principled voice for ethical governance and reasoned compromise within the Conservative Party, and it is telling that the government of Dylan Macmillan has forced him out in favour of the proteges of Mary Cambel and Harold Saxon. It might very well spell the end of the Conservative Party in Wales.