Mark Oaten announces he will stand down at the General Election

11.12.13am GMT Wed 26th Jul 2006

Mark Oaten MP

As expected Mark Oaten has announced he will stand down at the General Election. I have expected this ever since his rent-boy revelation (and the non-revelation bit) earlier in the year and his very erratic behaviour since, as anyone who watches the Daily Politics or read his interviews will testify.

Oaten was almost certain to lose at the next General Election, obviously I hope we retain the seat maybe a woman with a family is what is needed to repair some of the damage done. Winchester also has big boundary changes, I believe the constituency is due to split into Winchester and the Meon Valley before the next general election.

Oaten says he will now concentrate on continuing to rebuild his marriage and work on issues effecting the developing world. I fear however we will see him on a future 'Celebrity' Big Brother or even worse Love Island or some such reality television programme.