Is there another reason for Ruth Kelly resigning?

[Helen S]

Could it be that she didn't want to face years of unpopularity as the head of the department responsible for the massive increases on the road fund tax due to come into effect early next year? This is something that will stick for a long time if she's at the helm! God help you if you have more than three children and a husband and want to got out for a drive on a weekend or have to make an emergency visit to a hospital - there's not enough room for you in a small car! Ruth Kelly and her husband have four children - wonder what they use for transport?
Bert, can you substantiate that bit about her relative being in the ira? Who was it?

[Rodriguez]

If you had to go to work and see rubber-faced, Spitting Image puppet-lookalike Brown everyday then you'd resign as well. :-)

[Divasue]

I think she had planned it for a while and waited until now to resign for maximum effect. I dont think anyone could put their name to Labours transport policies and have any self respect left. Will it have any effect? I doubt it.

[Duffer]

1 She is likely to lose her seat at the Election (very small majority, currently)

2. As a staunch RC she wants to be able to speak against the government on stem cell research

3. She wanted to go last May, but was persuaded to stay until the next reshuffle.

[michael w]

Yes its Gordon Brown himself As for a car she probably ownes a gas gussling 4x4.

[Bijou]

I think she's seen that the game's up and has probably had a better offer.

[mike h]

That detestable, despicable woman simply went before she was pushed

[Miz Haddock to you.]

Yes. She is a practicing Opus Dei Catholic.

[39 weeks pregnant!]

I have detested that woman ever since she was education secretary. She went on about how we have a great education system and then sent her child to private school. Fair enough. But instead of admitting it she tried to say it was due to his special needs.

Why do Labour want to get rid of grammar schools but still think it's ok to send their precious ones to private school? They try to put the spin on that grammar schools are elitist, for the rich only, yet my family wasn't rich and I went to Lancaster Grammar. At least grammars are free. So it's ok for Ruth Kelly to send her kids to a fee paying school, but we shouldn't send our bright children to (free) grammar schools.

And as road tax - just don't get me started! I'll end up suspended again, and I don't think tricking yahoo will work twice...

:-)

No labour pains yet. You'll have to ask a question on tax increases - that'll get the contractions started!