MIKE Foster’s game plan seems to be progressing nicely. That party loyalist’s job in the whips’ office was always going to lead to career advancement.

Foxy has often been accused of always backing his bosses, regardless of what his constituents might wish. He has denied this, memorably claiming to our Jack Blanchard that he prefers to sort things out by having a quiet word in the ear of the powerful.

I must say that this does seem to be an excellent way of conducting business, cutting out all those middle-men and women in the Houses of Parliament. In fact, it’s a very French way of doing things.

Problem? Just whisper in the mayor’s shell-like and everything’s sorted.

However, when Mike eventually lands that job in the EU Parliament, he will have to curb his talent for wheeling and dealing. For if such a system caught on, his colleagues might then worry that a few of their number could well soon be surplus to requirements.