Watson proves a prize asset

Jun 25 2008 By Jon Walker

TOMMY "gun" Watson, the former Defence Minister and MP for West Bromwich East, has quite a fan club in Whitehall.

In his current role as a Cabinet Office Minister, he is in charge of ensuring Britain's civil servants know how to use this newfangled internet thing.

A recent charity raffle for government officials offered a prize of . . . drinks with Tom Watson in a House of Commons tearoom.

There was no problem selling tickets. It seems the civil servants are so impressed, they're willing to pay good money to spend time with him.

* The fate of the nation's bees was the subject of a weighty debate, as MPs warned that their numbers are falling.

This could have a devastating impact on plant life which depends on bees for pollination.

But Wolverhampton MP Rob Marris (Lab Wolverhampton South West) had a second reason for being concerned.

He explained: "I like bees . . . they have the good sense to sport the colours of Wolverhampton Wanderers."

* Rumours of a Tory reshuffle have ruffled a few feathers.

Last week I reported on speculation surrounding Andrew Mitchell (Con Sutton Coldfield), Birmingham's sole Conservative MP and a member of David Cameron's Shadow Cabinet.

Mr Mitchell is a close ally of David Davis, the former Shadow Home Secretary who resigned to fight a by-election.

This meant that Mr Davis quit the shadow cabinet -and I suggested his allies, including Mr Mitchell, could also face the chop.

Not so, my sources insist. Insiders insist he is set to remain in the Tory top team.