Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Betting on the Next Speaker

Ladbroke's have published their latest odds on Michael Martin's successor.

4/1 Sir Alan Haselhurst
4/1 Frank Field
8/1 Sir George Young
8/1 John Bercow
10/1 Richard Taylor
10/1 Vince Cable
10/1 Menzies Campbell
14/1 Sylvia Heal
14/1 Richard Shepherd
14/1 Ken Clarke
14/1 Patrick Cormack
16/1 Alan Beith
33/1 David Davis
33/1 Norman Baker
50/1 Keith Simpson
50/1 Damian Green
50/1 Kate Hoey
50/1 Diane Abbott
50/1 Tony Wright
250/1 Gordon Brown


Well I think we can safely eliminate Gordon Brown and Diane Abbott from that list. And David Davis has ruled himself out. If I were a betting man, which I am not, I'd take a flutter on Vince Cable at 10/1. However, I have a feeling in my gut that there might be one or two very surprising candidates who don't figure on this list. I don't know who they are, but there's a feeling about that it might be time for a radical change.

56 comments:

  1. Isn't Alan Haselhurst tainted over expenses?

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  2. Brown on tv bloating and is not going to do anything, he's dodging it again.

    "No MP will stand if found to have broken the rules"

    uhm hasnt brown been saying it was all within the rules, so nothing happening then. Labour aint gonna deselect anyone.

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  3. Please, please, please don't let it be John Bercow. He maybe an assiduous attender of Parliament but he is utterly loathed by own party for the quasi-Socialism that he now espouses after years as a head-banging right-winger. Anyone who turns on their own views in such a way is a man of straw and not be trusted as Speaker.

    As the whips control this - no matter what anyone says and Labour won't stomach a Tory and vice versa - it'll be a Liberal. Sir Ming is too old. Step forward, the toe-tapping spectacular Mr. Vince Cable!

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  4. George Cowley's dogMay 19, 2009 12:43 pm

    Here's one for you Iain, Charlie Kennedy (assuming he is still off the sauce).

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  5. Richard Shepherd would be my choice. Well respected in the house and has an exemplary record when it comes to FOI and openness.

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  6. Alfred BudgeonMay 19, 2009 12:45 pm

    I'm jolly glad Sir Alan Haselhurst is at the top of the list. He commands the House with humour and forensic skills.

    Why look elsewhere?

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  7. Will the radical change go all the way through the system?
    Could Frank Field be the short term answer or some one of that ilk to get the Commons through until the election?
    Will more radical changes be put forward?
    Reduce the number of MP's? Have each constituency equal in size not unbalanced as is at present? Scotland now has its own parliament after all. Have each county elect 2 members to the House of Lords? Fixed terms of parliament? Fixed term PM? Match MP's pay to there equal in public life? (Doctors etc). One rule fits all pay system for Euro MEP's and MP's? Thoughts?

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  8. Damian Green would be a superb conclusion to a chapter of democratic treachery. Would love that!

    And, I know it's just a joke but can you seriously imagine Brown in that position? McBride as chief clerk? Draper as Sergeant at Arms? He'd never call a Tory to speak and he'd only acknowledge the Ayes. What a hoot.

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  9. I think 'twinkle-toes' is hoping for better after the next GE, myself. Sir George Younger at 8/1, however, looks a bit tasty.
    I'm currently scrabbling around down the back of the sofa looking for spare-change, although I want to hear the Speaker's statement & have some idea of the time-table for replacing him before I send any money Mr. Ladbrokes way.

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  10. Why not Ann Widdicombe? She's independent minded, fearless, popular in the country.

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  11. Konnie Haq for Speaker.

    We need an independent

    http://www.londonmuslims.blogspot.com/

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  12. Ken Clarke would be my choice - but only to get rid of him.

    Otherwise Frank Field is looking good.

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  13. "Sir George Younger at 8/1"
    Although he had many qualities that would be admirable in a Speaker,
    Lord Younger died several years ago.

    His near-namesake Sir George Young, aka the bicycling baronet, has hankered after the position for many years, and is far more talented than Ronnie Hazlehurst (even if the latter did write the theme tune for It's a Knock Out).

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  14. what about a non-Mp. Public vote for someone? Discuss.

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  15. Anonymous said...
    "Why not Ann Widdicombe? She's independent minded, fearless, popular in the country."

    No you are not Ann(onymous).

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  16. So is it time for Brown to be impeached, too?As for the next speaker? Harman, perhaps? Or George Galloway? Hee-hee!

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  17. Frank Field or Alan Beith would both be good bets.

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  18. I think some Tories here are labouring under a delusion. When someone new is elected, it will be for years. There will be none of this “interim” business.

    And I very much doubt if Vince Cable would want the job. Personally, I am appalled at the prospect of Frank Field.

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  19. It's not a question of who, but WHEN ?

    All as we know is that Martin will stand down, but if it's not immediate I smell a dirty big minipulative one eyed idiot rat.

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  20. Ooh - I like Alan Beith - that's a dark horse worth a bob or two. He's a dude.

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  21. Respect to Nick Clegg - the only leader to have the balls to stand up and be counted on this one.

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  22. I'd vote for John Bercow, but he's probably too young to be in the running.

    Frank Field then, if he'd do it (and genuine reluctance is a good qualification).

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  23. I think Chris Huhne will be one of the strong candidates not appearing on this list. He's featured in the Spectator's list of potential candidates.

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  24. Just heard GB on the radio. Talking about reform and change etc etc. That immortal sentance that all politicians love "Now I think we need to draw a line under this and move on" is getting closer by the day!! Bets please, when and by who?

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  25. Haselhusrt is tainted whatever ian or the tories think.

    Labour want Bercow the cons want field. I find shepherd too dithering and too emotional for the job.

    I'm not a big fan of cable.

    It will be interesting to see who goes up and down in this list.

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  26. Vince Cable would be a cut above the rest...

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  27. If only he hadn't been a prize d*ck over his ACA, Nicholas Winterton would have been the man.

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  28. Joanna Lumley would be completely independent, and would look better.

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  29. I've previously suggested Malcolm Rifkind and would stand by it, otherwise. Rishard Sheppard.

    Richard Taylor would be a good choice, but I don't know if someone actually independent would get it. There are too many troughers who will have a vote.

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  30. Albert ShankerMay 19, 2009 2:01 pm

    Davies ruled himself out last night, a week after his £6k portico did in the eyes of the public

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  31. oooh Joanna Lumley brilliant idea...love to see her crack the whip....

    Otherwise Think Frank Field has all the qualities required..

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  32. Actually Charles Kennedy would be a great speaker Mr Dog @ May 19, 2009 12:43 PM

    Kennedy is a top bloke shame he is a LD (We won't go there!). Kennedy after all opposed Labour instead of sucking upto it!

    The only downside is he is Scottish again!

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  33. Gaw

    As I said on anther thread

    "... lets watch out for the Huhne's and other low majority MP' s scrabble for a chance to get in next time as "Speaker seeking re-election."

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  34. Radical is good right now.

    Anything less and we're not fixing anything.

    (and ditch the silly garb while we're at it please)

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  35. The House of Commons gift shop will soon be selling a commemorative plate, with Michael Martin's picture on it.

    But you get hold of one now by placing your order hereForm an orderly queue, please...

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  36. I'd like to see Richard Bacon as speaker. He is intelligent and earnest and would command the respect of our house.

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  37. Frank Field has more important things to do on the Labour benches than being Speaker. He's one of the few Labour MPs willing to openly speak against Brown in an effort (admittedly probably doomed to failure) to keep the PM honest.

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  38. With all due respect to George Foulkes he is a complete idiot.

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  39. Tony Wright definitely worth a punt.

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  40. Lord Faulkes is now claming it's sectarian, laughable

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  41. Does parliament actually require an individual in antique dress (ridiculous) as a speaker? The European Parliament doesn't have one and conducts business in a perfectly normal, that is modern, manner. All this rt honourable and learned crap should be abolished too. It would be a lot better if they operated in the 21st century rather than the 18th.

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  42. Gaw said... “I think Chris Huhne will be one of the strong candidates not appearing on this list. He's featured in the Spectator's list of potential candidates.”

    Well it would be a way for him to hold onto his seat. Otherwise, I’d be astonished if he keeps it at the next GE. And the trouser-press is just so comic.

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  43. How can there be any suggestion that anyone with any expenses taint take on the Speaker's role?

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  44. Certainly Frank Field has all the qualities required BUT we don't want to muzzle him by putting him in the Speaker's chair, do we?

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  45. Surely not Alan Haselhurst: few snouts apparently so firmly in the trough!

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  46. I don't know who will eventually emerge as the next Speaker, however I fervently hope he isn't Scottish.

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  47. Sir Alan Sugar!

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  48. Time for a radical change? Get rid of parliament and adopt the euro.

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  49. http://frankowenspaintbrush.wordpress.com/2009/05/19/the-speaker-market-movers/

    Shop around for the best prices!

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  50. Iain i patiently wait till you next cast opinion on Abbot, something which doesn't need context nor reference. I watch the "itchy scratchy" show religiously every Thursday and it makes me howl(more often with laughter)when she speaks. Portillo needs little to make him appear a strong parliamentarian but she makes him look like a deity. Fool of a human being she is.

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  51. The Speaker must be a short-term one to be replaced by a long-term one after the next general election. The current House is tainted and so will the Speaker be.

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  52. Tony Wright is the standout candidate in that list if MPs really are looking for a "reforming" Speaker, but I can't see them going with a Labour candidate for the third time in a row.

    For me, the really intriguing thought is that Labour MPs en masse might decide that if the next Speaker has to be a Tory, it may as well be Bercow, on the grounds that he is least popular candidate on the Tory benches. That would at least constitute some revenge for the removal of Gorbals.

    Ming, Haselhurst, Davis and anyone else whose exes are remotely dodgy can safely be ruled out in my view.

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  53. Elizabeth Filkin for Deputy Speaker assistant to Anne Widdecombe

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  54. Over at Tom Harris's blog I've just posted a note saying that what we need is, well, quite frankly, an outsider. Namely Geoffrey Cox Q.C., my local MP. Just on the grounds that we really don't need a 'name' as Speaker at this point. We just need a quite frankly dull, un-flashy, serious, grown-up Speaker who realises that the post that he (or she) holds is essential to the effective working of Parliament. Yes, it would be quite amusing to have 'Widdy' in charge, or quite diverting to force someone like Mr. Dennis Skinner to have to dress up in the required stockings etc., but in all honesty what Parliament requires at this point in time is a safe (albeit Tory) pair of hands.

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