MPs would probably buck the party whips, and Mr Straw is unlikely to want to precipitate his government's first parliamentary defeat.

ECONOMIST: Pressure grows for a plebiscite on Europe

The Iowa Republican Party, which is hosting its straw poll in the city of Ames this weekend, is waiting to see what New Hampshire decides before announcing a date for its caucuses.

CNN: South Carolina GOP moves up primary, adds to 2008 scramble

The straw purchaser then left the federal firearms dealer and met again with that third party and delivered the firearms to him.

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Mr Cooper said he had been further angered by the treatment of anti-nuclear protesters, and also by an incident involving Walter Wolfgang, then 82, who was thrown out of the 2005 Labour Party conference for shouting "nonsense" at then foreign secretary Jack Straw as he delivered a speech.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Bombs sent 'in protest at state'