Up Pompey?

Mounting tension in the office of Labour's further and higher education spokesman Bryan Davies. No, nothing to do with trivialities like Dearing, student loans legislation or the party's forthcoming lifelong learning document. This has its roots deep in the Endsleigh Football League Division One, where an extremely tight relegation battle is coming to its climax.

Mr Davies, as befits an Oldham MP, takes a close and enthusiastic interest in Oldham Athletic, currently third from bottom.

His policy adviser Nick Pearce is equally committed to the fortunes of Portsmouth, one place higher. Three go down. We can only hope that they will still be speaking to each other after the issue is settled next weekend.