On top of his faux pas with Robert Flello (below) The Speaker actually forgot to call Nick Clegg to ask his question. After Cameron sat down he called a Labour MP, then he should have called Clegg. Instead he called Tory MP Nigel Waterson. During Waterson's question the Speaker's Secretary turned round and told him he had missed Clegg. But he then had to go to a Labour MP before he called Clegg. The Cleggmeister was apparently less than amused.
This Speaker is becoming a liability. As Betty used to say: "Time's Up".
59 comments:
This speaker is a disgrace and should resign asap. It isn't anything to do with him being Scotch or working classs. He should go because he's CRAP.
We can only hope that future incumbents reverse all of Gorbels' precedents.
Totally off topic Iain, but have you read this story in todays Times Online?
Nice to see that the Kinnock family continue to do so well out of the British taxpayer.
I wonder what special qualifications Stephen Kinnock possessed for the position of Head of the St Petersburg office of the British Council (other than his capacity for vodka?)
It's Gorbals not Gorbels.
Either way the biased old
git should be done away with.
Like his boss he has sat too long.
As a Scotsman, I totally agree. He IS crap!
Mr Speaker also thought he was chairing questions to the leader of the opposition at one point - asking the house to be quiet so David Cameron could answer the PM - rather than ask his own question.
He eventually corrected himself. David Cameron is now so used to this muddled support for Labour that he didn't even bother with one of his pitying frowns at the speaker's chair.
Its time for:
1) A speaker who is not from the governing party.
2) An Englishman or woman.
PS If the Cleggoid wants to be recognised he should shift Chris Huhne out of his seat.
Still with the Lib Dems you never know which direction the knife will come from so it perhaps pays to vary your location.
I agree that 'Gorbals Thick' should go, but apart from stupidity is there ANOTHER reason why poor old Mick is so hopeless in the chair(ie) alcohol)? It is no good for Commons Tories to moan whilst they have not got the backbone to show the derision that 'Gorbals' deserves. The trouble is we have no real working class conservatives in the Commons to do the job of standing up to Gorbals. They are a lot of 'limp wristed Julians'! What we need are a few rottweilers to attack Gorbals- AND Labour!
Somebody should remind the speaker it's Prime Ministerial questions and not Leader of the Opposition questions.
I don't understand how Brown can get away with always answering with another question. Very frustrating.
Far more serious for me was the way he allowed the Prime Minister to turn PMQs into Questions to the Opposition by ruling in order the three times Gordon Brown dodged a question by asking something of David Cameron!
He shouldn't even have been elected Speaker. In 2000, Michael Martin was the second consecutive ex-Labour Speaker, breaking a pattern of alternation between Labour and Conservative members which had occurred from the 1965 through to the 1992 elections of Speakers. This was Labour "the political wing of the British people" in total domination mode. They were the masters now and the normal rules did not apply to them. As we can around us now, many of them still believe that to be the case.
He is blatantly biased towards McLabour and his fellow scottish communists.
He having an off day, he's entitled to that isn't he?
Or perhaps he's had some bad news about his health?
A bit of compassion wouldn't go amiss in the house right now, it's not endearing the electorate.
The guys a complete moron - was he EVER any good?
To Lakelander: Stephen Kinnock was working for the British Council first, before his father was appointed as its chair. But yes, there probably was a connection: the fact that his son was working there meant that Neil Kinnock knew a good deal about the work of the British Council before he was appointed.
"don't understand how Brown can get away with always answering with another question. Very frustrating."??
It's called lee-way. In the same way, Camoron is allowed to preface his subsequent questions with ripostes to the answers to the previous ones.
Such narrow minds on this site!
Give the daft old sod a chance - with the Kinnock's filling their greedy pockets as usual and Blair ordering a new wheelbarrow for his loot I'm sure he's only clinging onto to do what all Labour politicians do before they leave - After ripping off the taxpayer, move on to make loads and loads and loads of money
Are you sure that's right? I seem to recall there's usually a backbench question separating questions from the opposition leaders. I don't recall the last time Cameron's final question was immediately followed by a question from the Lib Dem leader...
What do you mean, becoming a liability?
The man is an insult to our democracy. He allows labour mp's to waffle on and shouts down the opposition. He protects labour cabinet members and knows he can get away with it as if a Point of Order is raised it is he that decides the point.
It is time for the whole opposition party to up and walk out next time he makes a bad mistake after the Leader of the Opposition raises a point of order finishing with up with you we will not put..then all walk out.
Remember Heseltine with the Mace..He was not working Class but he made his point. The time has surely come for Dandy Dave yo show his mettle.
Not a sheep: it's just coincidence that Speakers have alternated since the 1960s, and there was no rule saying they had to. The Conservatives put up Peter Brooke in 1992 with the full intention that he should be elected. In 1951, Labour MP Major James Milner should really have been elected, but the Conservative win in the election led to him being usurped by William Morrison who became one of the weakest Speakers seen.
Personally I was never impressed with Michael Martin and opposed him as Speaker. It really should have been Sir Alan Haselhurst who is a very effective Deputy Speaker, utterly fair and a very nice man as well.
Is Mr Speaker in some sort of remission from a grave illness? He really doesn't seem to be on top of things at all. You get the odd momentary flashes of lucidity, but mostly he seems to be in a different astral plane.
Perhaps he should seek medical support.
@ David Boothroyd
So Kinnock Snr had to learn about the British Council from Kinnock Jnr? How come? Was he not able to do so on his own?
Let's not be too silly about this, eh?
Take a good long hard look at Kinnock and family. They make for very interesting reading, so like many others of the NuLab persuasion. At least the Tories are/were a bit more subtle than that. And there comes a moment when the public just doesn't want its nose flagrantly rubbed in the shit any more.
The Speaker is a faithful public servant who has worked hard in the House. It's not his fault that the previous tradition was changed and he's done a good job since he took the role.
As one comment said on here, the constant personal attacks (perfectly indicative of Cameron's end to Punch and Judy politics) put off the public. Make sad little references implying alcohol problems are, to be perfectly honest, just pathetic.
Perhaps Gorbals Mick, ought to be renamed Broon's lifeboat, as he is always coming to his master's rescue at PMQs.
Perhaps an understandable error - in this instance.
Hope he does it again!
Unsworth, Stephen Kinnock was actually working for the British Council for seven years before Neil Kinnock was appointed to it. Do you really suppose that during that time he never once explained to his dad what he was doing?
And do you think that knowing about the work of the British Council is (a) relevant, or (b) irrelevant, when considering who should be appointed to run it?
During PMQs today, the Speaker fended off calls for a Labour MP to get to the point instead of rattling off the same old disingenuous claptrap with the phrase "lets just hear the good news..."
Not on.
@anon 2.36
I don't think it's narrow minded to expect the speaker to uphold the rules of the house.
I realise that the name "Gorbals Mick" has stuck even though it is dreadfully inaccurate.
He represents a constituency NORTH of the River Clyde, whereas the Gorbals is SOUTH of the river. It's like calling Cameron "Battersea Dave".
His son Paul is an MSP for the same area and is being groomed to replace his father on the Westminster gravy train.
I think Martin senior is a disgrace, but there are so many Labour incompetents in undeserved positions of authority.
I agree with David Boothroyd here - I also would like to see Sir Alan Haselhurst as Speaker. He should wear the traditional wig, too.
JamieC - the reality is that it is Brown and the Martin who are turning PMQs into 'punch and judy politics'. PMQs is the only stage where MPs can bring the PM to task on the issues that week. It becomes completely pointless if all Brown replies to Cameron is a dry repeated question (which in the case of last week, Cameron did answer, but apparently that wasn't good enough for Brown)...It seems that Browns tactic in PMQs is to switch to autopilot when challenged in a display akin to a child in a playground shouting ‘I’m not listening’ and putting their fingers in their ears. Cameron was doing his duty as leader of the opposition to ask questions regarding the public outlay in the northern rock crisis, and the PM should have done his democratic duty as PM to give the British people an answer. Once again, Brown places more importance in saving his own neck than fulfilling the duties of his position as PM, by being accountable to the British people.
I used to hate the arrogance of the Blair government, but at least they were convincing at spinning their own mess-ups...the images of Darling sniggering away behind the PM were sickening? What’s he got to be proud about?
The way this government is reminded me of Portillos programme last night on ways to kill criminals... his eventual preferred method was hypoxia, through nitrogen gas, a death which was complete with a feeling of euphoria. That is how best to describe the current actions Hain, Darling, Brown et al; they know they are incompetent... they know the end is near... but they cover it up with euphoria, harping on about great achievements and past records in office, with the crazy idea that it will suddenly all get better. As the pro- death penalty American at the end of Portillo’s programme concluded, the point of execution for many is to give the guilty some punishments for their acts, hopefully that will be the case for Brown and co, sooner rather than later (I don’t wish death on them, just that parliament would spit them out into the north sea)
I agree Gorbals Mick ain't up to the job, but come on - his Flello remark was clearly intended to have a touch of sarcastic irony about it...
Come along now...
Votedave and David Boothroyd
Sadly it seems Sir Alan Haslehurst is retiring as MP for Saffron Walden, a fact which may not have escaped Iain's notice either ;-)
The Lords' speaker, (who replaces the poor Lord Chancellor, swept away in the devastation of our Constitution by New Labour), can be dismissed:
'If the House passes a motion for an Address to Her Majesty seeking the Lord Speaker’s removal from office, the Lord Speaker shall be deemed to have resigned.'
The constitutional position on the Commons' Speaker might be analogous, but who knows , as our constitution has been destroyed in the last decade's vandalism.
Perhaps that is why the Scottish member representing Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath signed England up to a retread constitution in Lisbon last year
It has indeed escaped my notice. Because it isn't true. He's standing again so far as I know.
Re: Haselhurst, no offence intended - I orginally read that rumour here on this blog and no-one had contradicted it until now. Apologies.
Martin was biased as a Deputy, so it was not surprising he continued in the same way when he became Speaker. He should go, and go quickly.
watching the debate on the european rebate last night there was no one in the speakers chair.
Is this correct procedure Iain?
Hmm - a bit of an over reaction here. I dislike the current speaker intensely because he is a very bad speaker. I also suspect that he is slightly biased, dislikes Tories on instinct and is well past his sell by date (if he ever had one)!
I also don't like the fact that, once again, it is a Scot who is in a position of power - of which there is a disproportionate number!
However, I think he was just trying a bit of humour on this occasion. Let's not get this out of proportion as it makes us sound unhinged and incapable of sound judgment.
Of greater interest is the fact that a nose-troughing Kinnock had his collar felt for D&D! Let's see Milipede come out and say that Kinnock was stone cold sober and it's all politics! Yea right!
I suspect Kinnock jnr wasn't as the preverbial judge - and the KGB simply had an excuse to feel his collar! He would have undoubtedly been under observation!
Adrian said:-
"I also don't like the fact that, once again, it is a Scot who is in a position of power - of which there is a disproportionate number!"
Reason is, Adrian, that there are few Englishmen who have the calibre to run your country-when you do produce one, only then will we return north and leave you to to so.
A senile old fart with a chip on each shoulder. A prime example of Labour mentality - class war agitators until they get the keys to the posh house, like the final pages of Animal Farm.
He won't be missed. Better do a full inventory check before he and his missus depart their grace-and-favour residence (they must have one!)
No, No, you've all got it wrong!
What he says is 'See you Jimmy' and then sits down - ye sassenachs!
Anonymous said...
Adrian said:-
"I also don't like the fact that, once again, it is a Scot who is in a position of power - of which there is a disproportionate number!"
Reason is, Adrian, that there are few Englishmen who have the calibre to run your country-when you do produce one, only then will we return north and leave you to to so.
January 16, 2008 9:19 PM
Awah up yur kilt Jock, youse boys know all aboot runnin'. Ask the Hun! We only use you to keep us sweaty testicles in place!
There's only one thing worse than a drunken jock.
A sober one ye ken?
To Adrian 9.19 pm
: Scotto-Rum-Malleus (Hammer of the Scots).
We can always do it again if you don't believe the first lot!
Since the Speaker is in breach of impartiality, is it not time to abandon the convention (rarely observed by Labour) that the main parties don't contest the Speaker's seat?
Sporran said:-
There's only one thing worse than a drunken jock.
A sober one ye ken?"
Sorry Sporran, I'm afraid your going to be stuck with us for along time yet!
Brown will go to the country in 2.5 years and will reign for a further 5 (at least) with the assistance of a few lib dums!
maybe, by then, your education "system" (obviously sadly lacking) will have improved to the position that we will employ you sassenachs as our baggage carriers.
Sporan et al: There are plenty of capable English men well capable of running my country.
The trouble is that it takes more votes to get them elected than is does the bunch of stepford wives, nannying social workers, neer do wells and malcontents which sit on the Labour benches.
Furthermore, there is an institutionalized bias now in favour of Scotland. Just look at the whole host of benefits available to those living in Scotland NOT available to those living in England who pay for them!
I have decided to send my kids to a Scottish University and retire to a remote part of the highlands. Not because I like Scotland (which I do - beautiful place) but because everything is free!
I have paid for it afterall - might as well get some of my taxes back "afore ye jocks spen it al'"
Ken wha ahm sayen laddy?
simon @1.58 pm:
It is well known that Michael Martin is a teetotaller.
anon @ 6.36:
The House was sitting as a Committee of the Whole House to debate the European Communities (Finance) Bill committee stage.
When the House goes into Committee, the Speaker leaves the Chair, the mace is placed under the Table and the Chairman of Ways and Means chairs proceedings from the seat at the left of the Table.
Suggest you don't waste your time asking Dale what is and is not correct procedure!
I would hate to see Hazelhurst as speaker. He's one of the most arrogant people i've ever met!
jamiec
Where have you been? Speaker Martin has shown bias towards the Labour party in many clearly-documented cases. That is a constitutional disgrace. It is far worse than Hain's mere breaking of the law. It damages the very fabric of democracy in Britain.
This is not a party-political point, I am happy to say that Betty Boothroyd was a very good speaker (I worked for a good friend of Bernard Weatherill. Apparently he thought her election was wrong, that she was elected because she was a woman. However he thought that in office she was a very good speaker).
anth
That does not mean he can't do the job. It does not require humility.
anybody who has met alan hazelhurst knows is is an cracking guy
anybody who has met alan hazelhurst knows is is an cracking guy
Adrian said
I have decided to send my kids to a Scottish University and retire to a remote part of the highlands. Not because I like Scotland (which I do - beautiful place) but because everything is free!
I have paid for it afterall - might as well get some of my taxes back "afore ye jocks spen it al'"
Nice to have you on board Adrian, however, may I enlighten you as to why everything is "free?
It is simply a question of priorities. Our SNP govt, unlike your own, have decided they would rather not waste taxpayers money on things like london olympics, propping up failed banks, throwing tv licence money at "celebrities," entering into illegal wars, etc.
Look forward to seeing you when you come north-skiing is terrific at the mo!
Michael Martin is a poor Speaker and a poor constituency MP refusing to help constituents using the excuse that as speaker he can't get involved in any issues - something Betty Boothroyd would never have done. It's nothing to do with being Scottish or Labour. He's just not up to the job.
The SNP have stood against Michael Martin.
Totally agree with the comments about Sir Alan Haslehurst. He is an excellent Deputy Speaker, impartial to a fault and a thoroughly nice guy.
Well, when i watch 'dear old Gorbals Mick' trying 'gravitas' in the Commons, i'm reminded of an old episode of Rab C Nesbitt. The one where Rab had 'posh' rellies in Edinburgh (the old joke- no not Gorbals- 'what's the difference between Edinburgh people and Glasgae people'? 'In Edinburgh they use soap.')! When push comes to shove the people from Edinburgh were just as 'common' as those from Glasgae!
When lost blame the ref.
further to Stephen Kinnock and his cushy job in Russia, did he really think he can get away with not paying his taxes? i work for the BC in Korea and before now have never paid any tax but the Koreans soon caught up with us.
sorry Stephen no matterv who your dad is, they caught ya all out.
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