Vince pulls out of press lunch
By Tony Grew - 26th October 2010
The lobby lunch is an important Westminster tradition stretching back decades.
The stairs to the press gallery are adorned with posters for lunches past, with luminaries such as PM Clement Atlee and foreign secretary Anthony Eden among the guests.
Hacks were looking forward to Vince Cable's attendance at lunch later this week - the politician normally makes a speech, sometimes they are even amusing, then journalists get to ask some questions.
However, it has just been announced that the sage of Twickenham will not able to make it after all.
The reason?
"As as he is now making a statement to the House on Thursday on regional development policy he is unable to speak at our lunch as well."
Cue wailing and gnashing of teeth on the Burma Road.
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