Chris Huhne and the Children's Centre petition

It's the squeaky wheel that gets oil. An old saying, but truer than ever with the oil of taxpayers' cash in very short supply.

Save Our Children's Centres in Hampshire have done an admirable job pointing out the impact of up to one third cuts in the budget for Sure Start.

Eastleigh MP, and former journalist Chris Huhne was quick to pick up on their campaign, seeking them out just a few days after the launch to sign their petition.

Was cabinet minister Chris Huhne right to sign this petition?

Any cabinet minister is entitled to campaign against the local impact of his government's own policies, of course, and in this case Chris gave it both barrels - throwing in some local election lines about the Conservative leadership of Hampshire County Council, and the cost of new building at the council.

That provoked their leader Ken Thornber to take to Channel Four news to denounce Chris Huhne but also point out to David Cameron the shortage of cash that was causing their cuts.

Which THEN came full circle at Prime Minister's Questions when the Conservative MP for Gosport Caroline Dinenage asked Mr Cameron to explain what she called 'Unhelpful local party political mischief making over the future of Sure Start' saying.

"Sure Start is too important and valuable to be used as a political football in this way - Hampshire Council are consulting on their proposals but have pledged to protect all frontline services. I for one will be keeping up the pressure on them, every step of the way, to make sure that they do."

She was sitting next to Romsey MP Caroline Noakes - the daughter of Ken Thornber's council rival, Romsey Conservative Ray Perry - who's in charge of the Sure Start cuts.

As I say, it all moves in circles. Expect that squeaky wheel to get some more attention shortly.

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