Well, so much for St Vince, the so-called Sage of Twickenham.

One week he appears to be unaware that, as secretary of state, he might be expected to vote for his own legislation tripling university student tuition fees, suggesting he might abstain in the Commons vote.

Now he has been caught out apparently abusing his ministerial powers on a matter of competition law, in Murdoch’s takeover attempt for BSkyB, and humiliatingly loses much of his responsibilities.

And he boasts of having a “nuclear bomb” which could bring down the ConDem coalition Government, just as it blows up in his face while he is still holding it.

At the same time, here in York, the council’s Lib-Dem administration is in chaos, with one of their former executive members suspended from their party.

Roll on next May’s elections, when the people of York can at least get rid of this failed administration.

Coun Sandy Fraser (Labour), Micklegate Ward, Millfield Road, York.