Ottawa (CP)
Hot on the heels of the announcement that Ontario MPP Marylin Churley would be changing her name legally to Marylin Churley NDP, to circumvent regulations regarding official party status, Paul Martin announced that he would be changing his name to "His Royal Highness, Paul Martin, God Emperor of Canada."

While critics expressed shock at the announcement, Martin supporters explained that the change "Only reflects reality as it will exist after the next federal election."

Churley announced the name change earlier this week, to avoid Ontario Provincial Parliament rules that would restrict the NDP from using their party name on letterhead, websites, or during question period, due to their inability to obtain enough seats to qualify as an official party in the last election.

A Spokesperson for the Martin camp, however, said that Martin would be changing his name to "better reflect the dynamic Canadian leadership landscape. And the odds that anyone was going to beat him in a federal election next spring."

It was further announced that Sheila Copps was changing her name to "Hey, I'm over here! Look at me!" in preparation for her role after the leadership convention.