Britain's Communities Secretary Hazel Blears (L) and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith (R) leave 10 Downing Street in central London, following the weekly cabinet meeting, on May 19, 2009. The speaker of Britain's House of Commons, under fire after a scandal about lawmakers' expense claims, is to announce his resignation later Tuesday, according to media reports. Getty Images logo Getty Images 6 months ago

Britain's Communities Secretary Hazel Blears (L) and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith (R) leave 10 Downing Street in central London, following the weekly cabinet meeting, on May 19, 2009. The speaker of Britain's House of Commons, under fire after a scandal about lawmakers' expense claims, is to announce his resignation later Tuesday, according to media reports.

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  1. Protestors from 'Vote for a Change' wear masks of British Finance Minister Alistair Darling, (L) former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, (2nd L) Prime Minister Gordon Brown (2nd R) and Opposition Conservative party leader David Cameron (R) as they demonstrate outside the Brighton Centre which is hosting the Labour Party conference, Brighton, on September 28, 2009. Britain's beleaguered ruling Labour Party promised tough new action on bankers' bonuses Monday, as it fights for its life ahead of general elections next year.

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  1. BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith (R) and former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Margaret Beckett watch Prime Minister Gordon Brown's address to the Labour Party Conference on September 29, 2009 in Brighton, England. Gordon Brown's speech to delegates is expected to make or break his chances of leading the Labour Party into a general election in 2010. He is expected to promise more free childcare and a clampdown on anti social behaviour.
  2. BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: A television makeup assistant checks former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith (c) before she appears live on air to comment on Prime Minister Gordon Brown's address to the Labour Party Conference on September 29, 2009 in Brighton, England. Gordon Brown's speech to delegates is expected to make or break his chances of leading the Labour Party into a general election in 2010. He is expected to promise more free childcare and a clampdown on anti social behaviour.
  3. The Palace of Westminster is seen in London October 12, 2009. Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has been ordered to apologise to the House of Commons after a parliamentary sleaze watchdog found she "clearly breached" rules on second-home expenses.
  4. The Palace of Westminster is seen in London October 12, 2009. Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has been ordered to apologise to the House of Commons after a parliamentary sleaze watchdog found she "clearly breached" rules on second-home expenses.
  5. Protestors from 'Vote for a Change' wear masks of British Finance Minister Alistair Darling, (2nd L) former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, (L) Prime Minister Gordon Brown (2nd R) and Opposition Conservative party leader David Cameron (R) as they demonstrate outside the Brighton Centre which is hosting the Labour Party conference, Brighton, on September 28, 2009. Britain's beleaguered ruling Labour Party promised tough new action on bankers' bonuses Monday, as it fights for its life ahead of general elections next year.
  6. Protestors from 'Vote for a Change' wear masks of British Finance Minister Alistair Darling, (L) former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, (2nd L) Prime Minister Gordon Brown (2nd R) and Opposition Conservative party leader David Cameron (R) as they demonstrate outside the Brighton Centre which is hosting the Labour Party conference, Brighton, on September 28, 2009. Britain's beleaguered ruling Labour Party promised tough new action on bankers' bonuses Monday, as it fights for its life ahead of general elections next year.
  7. Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff stands to vote in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa September 18, 2009. As expected, Canada's minority Conservative government easily survived a budget vote on Friday with the help of two opposition parties.
  8. Bloc Quebecois Leader Gilles Duceppe speaks in the House of Commons during Question Period in Ottawa Tuesday Sept. 15 , 2009. Duceppe said his party will vote for the government's key budget bill Friday because there is nothing inherently wrong with it.
  9. A worker prepares the House of Commons for the return of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa September 10, 2009. Parliamentarians will return from their summer break on September 14.
  10. A page arranges a desk in the House of Commons in preparation for the return of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa September 10, 2009. Parliamentarians will return from their summer break on September 14.
  11. Canada's Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff speaks during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa December 2, 2009.
  12. New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton speaks following Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa December 2, 2009.

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  7. Billy Bakker, left of the Netherlands and Barry Middleton of England competes for the ball during their game at the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec.3, 2009. Netherlands won the game 3-2.
  8. The guard of honor waits for Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to arrive to his welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. China-Canada relations have soured over a series of disagreements, especially since Harper's Conservative government took office nearly four years ago with a harder line on China's human rights record. Harper's visit appears to be aimed at overcoming negative sentiment on both sides.
  9. PERUGIA, ITALY - DECEMBER 03: Defendant Raffaele Sollecito speaks to his lawyer prior to the closing arguments of the Meredith Kercher Trial on December 3, 2009 in Perugia, Italy. Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito are charged with the murder of British student Meredith Kercher in Perugia on November 1, 2007. Jury deliberations begin on December 4, with a verdict expected either that evening or the following day.
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  11. JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 03: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing in his car during the Formula one young drivers test at the Circuio De Jerez on December 3, 2009 in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
  12. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, left, and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, right, arrive to his welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009. China-Canada relations have soured over a series of disagreements, especially since Harper's Conservative government took office nearly four years ago with a harder line on China's human rights record. Harper's visit appears aimed at overcoming negative sentiment on both sides.
  13. Palestinians wait to receive food aid at the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, (UNRWA), warehouse in Gaza City, Tursday, Dec. 3, 2009. UNRWA has provided food, housing, education and health care for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and neighboring countries since its inception in 1950.
  14. BEIJING - DECEMBER 03: Laureen Harper, wife of Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper, visits the Temple of Heaven on December 3, 2009 in Beijing, China. Stephen Harper is in China during his five day tour visiting.
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  16. MUNICH, GERMANY - DECEMBER 03: Peter Loescher, CEO of German industrial giant Siemens, arrives for the annual press conference on December 3, 2009 in Munich, Germany. Siemens expects its operating profit to decline this fiscal year.