IN a speech in London yesterday, Jack Straw accused Tory leader Michael Howard of having been exposed as an opportunist.

One Parliamentary colleague remarked: "That's a bit rich coming from Jack.

"In view of the way he is cosying up to Chancellor Gordon Brown and his predecessor as Foreign Secretary Robin Cook for a post-Blair premiership, he has shown himself to be no mean opportunist himself."

BURNLEY MP Peter Pike had a bit of a shock this week when he went down to Rawtenstall to see how its magistrates court, sister to the bigger one in his constituency, worked.

As well as a modern-day case there was one from the 1940s to celebrate the approach of the D-Day 60th anniversary.

He then found out that they were running a special steam train from Rawtenstall to Bury and back.

Mr Pike said: "I splashed out and bought myself a ticket. Everyone was in 1940s dress and it reminded me of my first railway journey to Burnley when I was evacuated to the town during the war.

RIBBLE Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans met the Dali Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, recently.

He said: "He was a very impressive man.

"After the meeting I reflected on life and spirituality but I have no plans to convert to Buddhism.

"If I did, I think my vicar in Ribchester, Father John, might have something to say."

RECENTLY the Chinese Premier Wen Jaibao met Ribble Valley MP Mr Evans and Pendle MP Gordon Prentice as part of an eight-strong party delegation.

Issues discussed included human rights and democracy - in China presumably rather than in East Lancashire.