Sarah Palin Says She Is Fed Up with Politics
THE SUNDAY TIMES: Sarah Palin, the failed 2008 vice-presidential candidate tipped to run for the White House in 2012, has told close friends she is “out of politics, period” after astounding the Republican party with a theatrical resignation as governor of Alaska.

Palin, 45, burst onto the national political scene less than a year ago as the “thriller from Wasilla” — a moose-hunting ice-hockey mom with five children including Trig, a Down’s syndrome baby — and electrified the party’s Christian conservative base as Senator John McCain’s running mate.

In a bizarre, erratic news conference outside her lakeside home on Friday, Palin held out the promise of a national role in politics when she said she hoped to “fight for all our children’s future from outside the governor’s office”.

Yesterday it emerged that she had told “very close friends” she had no intention of running for president. “She is fed up with politics. She doesn’t like her life. She feels that she needs to raise her family,” said Andrea Mitchell, an NBC News reporter who is married to Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the Federal Reserve.

“She really does not want to run for higher office,” Mitchell added. “This is not a case where she is stepping down in order to clear the way for a presidential run.”

Palin’s sudden decision to resign caught some family members by surprise, as well as bewildered staff and supporters. “She didn’t even tell her brother,” said John Coale, a Washington lawyer and political consultant who is close to the governor. A spokeswoman for Palin said quitting the governorship was a “liberating feeling . . . she can’t get out of there fast enough”. >>> Sarah Baxter in Washington | Sunday, July 5, 2009

Palin to Resign as Governor of Alaska
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska announced Friday that she would step down by the end of the month and not seek a second term as governor, fueling speculation that she is seriously weighing whether to seek the Republican nomination for president in 2012.

Ms. Palin, who was Senator John McCain’s vice presidential running mate last year and solidified the support of the party’s conservative base, explained her decision at a news conference at her home in Wasilla, Alaska, accompanied by her husband, Todd, and other family members.

“We know we can affect positive change outside of government,” she said in making the announcement.

Known as Sarah Barricuda when she played basketball in high school, Ms. Palin used point guard analogy in explaining her decision, saying she knows “exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.”

She said that she planned to hand over the reins of the state government to Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who would be sworn in at the governor’s picnic in Fairbanks on July 25.

“This decision came after much consideration,” Ms. Palin told reporters gathered at her home, and added, “I really don’t want to disappoint anyone with this announcement.” >>> Mitchell L Blumenthal | Friday, July 03, 2009

MPs' Expenses: Hazel Blears Resignation Deepens Gordon Brown's Cabinet Crisis
THE TELEGRAPH: Hazel Blears, the Communities Secretary, has resigned from the Cabinet, deepening the political crisis now engulfing Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister.

Hazel Blears: Communities secretary has stood down from the Cabinet. Photo courtesy of The Telegraph
Dealing a fresh blow to Mr Brown’s fragile political authority in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal, Miss Blears said the Labour Party has lost its connection with the British people.

“I have told the Prime Minsiter [sic] I am resigning from the Government,” Miss Blears said in a statement. “I am returning to the grassroots. I want to help the Labour Party to reconnect with the British people.

"My politics has always been rooted in the belief that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things.

"The role of a progressive Government should be to pass power to the people.

"I want to help the Labour Party to reconnect with the British people, to remind them that our values are their values, that their hopes and dreams are ours too."

Today's statement was notable for the absence of any expression of backing for the Prime Minister.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Theresa May said the Government was no longer capable of governing and that a General Election was now essential.

"The Government has no answer. They are racked by infighting and they are unable to deal with the real issues that matter to people," she told the BBC News channel. "We need a General Election." >>> By James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Smith To Resign As Home Secretary
Jacqui Smith. Photo courtesy of MailOnline
BBC: Jacqui Smith is expected to stand down as home secretary in a reshuffle, Whitehall sources have told the BBC.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is set to shake-up his cabinet after Thursday's European and English local elections.

Ms Smith has been criticised for listing her sister's London house as her main home for expenses - and her husband's claim for an adult movie.

It is understood Ms Smith, the first woman home secretary, intends to defend her Redditch seat at the next election.

Mr Brown confirmed to the BBC he is planning a reshuffle but refused to be drawn on individual ministers' roles. >>> | Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Listen to BBC video: Jacqui Smith speaking to John Humphrys on Today: April 7, 2009 >>>

Leading Governments of Europe Want Wolfowitz Out

Photo of Paul Wolfowitz courtesy of SpiegelOnline International

SPIEGELONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Leading governments of Europe signaled that they were willing to let the United States choose the bank's next chief if Paul D. Wolfowitz stepped down soon, officials said.

Leading governments of Europe, mounting a new campaign to push Paul D. Wolfowitz from his job as World Bank president, signaled Monday that they were willing to let the United States choose the bank's next chief, but only if Mr. Wolfowitz stepped down soon, European officials said. Deal Is Offered for Chief’s Exit at World Bank (Read on)

Mark Alexander