Our Man in Blackburn

How did I miss this one?

Via the Socialist Worker I've discovered that Craig Murray - the former British Ambassador to Uzbekistan forced from his job after he criticised the brutal human rights record of the Karimov regime (see here, here and here) - is to stand as an MP in Blackburn against the Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Apparently he announced his decision back in February, has set up a website, which is rudimentary, but worth a gander and will have a column in the G2 section of the Grauniad every Thursday.

The idea of "celebrities" standing as independent candidates seems to be the in thing this year with both Reg Keys who's son was killed in Iraq and MI5 agent turned whistleblower David Shayler planning to stand against Blair in his Sedgefield constituency in protest against the war in Iraq (although Keys hopes to encourage Shayler to step down). Personally I wonder if this is the best way to channel people's efforts and anger against the Blair regime, but I would still be more than happy to see Blair and Straw (and hopefully the rest of them) get a good kicking from the electorate.