There is a bizarre tradition in parliament that an MP can’t resign. They have to apply to be the latest steward and bailiff of the Manor of Northstead in Scarborough or the Chiltern Hundreds.

With recent events how many of you are hoping that that the current tenant of number 10 Downing Street might follow the same route?

Bizarrely Johnson actually did the decent thing and alternatively resigned way back in 2008 to become the new Mayor of London. But let’s just see what happens in the coming weeks eh?

BORIS Johnson, London’s new mayor, may apply to be the latest steward and bailiff of the Manor of Northstead in Scarborough – and will get an invite to the town from MP Robert Goodwill if he does.

Mr Johnson has stepped down as an MP following his success in the London elections – but has to to undergo a bizarre technical procedure to vacate his Henley seat in the House of Commons.

MPs are not allowed to resign their seats, so in order to leave the Commons they have to disqualify themselves from being a member.

They must apply to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for an office of profit under the Crown, which then makes them ineligible to sit in the Commons.

Two obsolete offices are now used – the stewards of the Manor of Northstead and the Chiltern Hundreds.

Mr Johnson made it clear he would step down, if successful in the recent London election – and Mr Goodwill thinks it would be a good opportunity to let him visit his manor.

He said: “I am not sure of the timing but it would be incompatible to be Mayor of London and to be representing the people of Henley. No doubt we could invite him up here to carry out some of his duties.”

The Manor of Northstead and the Chiltern Hundreds are used in rotation.

Tony Blair was appointed as the steward of the Chiltern Hundreds last year when he stepped down as Prime Minister and MP for the constituency of Sedgefield.

Mr Goodwill said he had heard of the tradition before becoming an MP but never connected it to Scarborough’s Northstead. He said: “You don’t resign from Parliament you ask to be appointed to this position.

“It’d be interesting to see if he would like to come to Scarborough to inspect his manor. I will drop him an email to remind him where it is.”

He added that he did not think Mr Johnson would upset people in Scarborough as was the case when he made some unfortunate comments about Liverpool.

Mr Goodwill added: “Scarborough is a wonderful place and his days of gaffes are over.”

From the Scarborough Evening News on Thursday, May 15, 2008.