Why did I think Craig Thomson was ethical? Labor MP Craig Thomson's opposition to Labor's bill for more controls on the media seems to be just a lousy trick, after all. It;s not principle, but politics - designed to try to "embarrass" the Opposition over its refusal to accept his vote without actually stopping the media crackdown: THE Coalition will refuse to accept independent MP Craig Thomson's "tainted vote" on Labor's media reforms, in a surprise twist that gives the Gillard government a glimmer of hope it can turn its plans into law. The former Labor MP's opposition to the media reforms bills had threatened their passage through federal parliament's lower house. However manager of opposition business Christopher Pyne's office has confirmed Mr Thomson will be paired with an opposition MP if he votes with the Coalition as flagged, cancelling out his vote. The Coalition has vowed to resist curbs on press freedom. But a spokesman for Mr Pyne said the opposition had to be consistent with its previous position in rejecting Mr Thomson's vote. For a moment I admit thinking well of Thomson. "Three cheers for Craig Thomson," I even said on 2GB today. I should have known better.