Onward to Hartlepool

If Kilroy-Silk does decide to stand for UKIP in Hartlepool, can I be the first to suggest that he has a chance of winning? After all, they've already elected a monkey there, so why not a matching orang(e)-utan?

However, the monkey took off the silly suit to reveal he was capable of being a sane and reasonable person. Sadly, the orangest man outside of a Tango ad or Bargain Hunt repeat doesn't seem likely to do the same.

Update: I have a feeling that this could be one of the more colourful (pun only partially intended) by-elections - The Guardian reports another possible candidate:

There is even a possible wild card candidate. From his sloop Rich Harvest, which has just made headlines as a "floating off-licence" moored 13 miles out to sea from Hartlepool, entrepreneur Phil Berriman said he too might stand, to pursue his own disillusioned battle against the government and HM Customs.

Given that it seems there'll be another two or three months before the election actually takes place - Mandelson hasn't officially resigned as an MP yet, and, IIRC, the by-election writ can't actually be moved until Parliament reconvenes in September anyway - there's plenty of time for all sorts of things to happen.

Another update:

Labour had planned another snap bye-election to be called today - but have bodged their calculations, meaning that it will now have to be called in September, giving opposition parties the chance to spend the summer enjoying the delights of campaigning on the Headland and on the prom at Seaton Carew.

However all is not lost, according to this report:

"Downing Street considered moving the writ during the summer recess, but discovered that, under parliamentary rules, it could only do so if Mr Mandelson was declared dead, mad, bankrupt or was appointed a peer. The prospect of creating Lord Mandelson of Hartlepool was judged a step too far, even for a rejuvenated Mr Blair."

From Labour Watch