Today is Sir Patrick Cormack's 70th birthday. It was certainly a memorable one for him. His intervention on a Point of Order this afternoon drew gasps of astonishment from the assembled MPs. When a Parliamentarian of Sir Patrick's reputation effectively calls on the Speaker to go, it is a sign that things are very serious indeed. No one was expecting it, so it was that much more effective.I am sure we all hope he has a hearty celebration this evening. I raise my glass to him!
UPDATE: Here is what Sir Patrick said in the House this afternoon...
The times that we are living in are unprecedented, as far as Parliament is concerned. What is at stake is the institution of Parliament and its integrity. May I just say that I very much hope that you will take account of the fact that profound concern is voiced in the motion that is to go down tomorrow? May I ask you to bear in mind that the condition of the House today is rather like the condition of the country at the time of the Norway debate, and could you reflect on that?
21 comments:
If MPs think that by getting rid of the speaker will placate the electorate - they couldn't be more wrong. The word Scapegoat springs to mind. I for one will not be happy until all the MPs, and I mean ALL, who have had their fat snouts in the trough, resign as soon as possible and a general election is called.
I suspect I may not be alone in this.
I've signed your petition by the way.
Yes Happy Birthday!
Maybe Parliament will give us all a present and get rid of Speaker Martin!
He is just not upto it! I sat with jaw dropped at todays nonsense by him! The reason he will not go - Money and his seat.
Shocking! He is the personification of the rot at the centre of the system!
Martin Martin Martin - Out Out Out!
and did you notice the evil look the speaker gave him after Sr P sat down.
if looks could kill.....
I noticed Martin giving out loads of poisonous looks!
Martin seems to think he should go on and on!
No way - He has to go!
Guys - you are missing the main target; Brown - he evaporated from the Chamber after the speech and before the fun started - go for Brown,the British taxpayer demands it.
Bumbling pompous old fart - time for him to go
Patrick Cormack is a bumbling, pompous old fart - time for him to go
He can't be too bright, it's taken him 39 years to notice the corruption around him!
Can someone please point to a site showing the whole thing (statements and points of order)?
Thanks!!
I agree with frankie. This is smoke and mirrors whilst the troughers hope we will forget the thief-fest.
I will not forget or forgive. They should be out today.
Text of Speaker's statement and reaction is at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmtoday/cmdebate/03.htm untill 8 am tomorrow.
After that time go to: http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm/cmhansrd.htm and click onto "Debates" under Today's date
Sir Patrick has been an excellent servant of South Staffs. I have moved away from the area and was horrified to hear of an attempted coup by 'a' listers.
He always responded to letters and was a good advocate. His performance today was as insightful and in touch with the people as ever.
Sir Patrick is one of the reasons why it has become popular to have young members of Parliament, who have neither the life experience nor knowledge to take part in a "real" debate and challenge those is higher positions than themselves - simply because they aren't old enough.
Mr Speaker: Norway? Naw f***in' way, Jimmy!
What is "the Norway debate"?
Happy Birthday Sir Paddy
There is a strangeness in the air to be sure. I think we need the old guard around. There's a lot of work for the kids to do for a starters. They're eager and they'll learn. All computers these days - perhaps they'll learn how to file things next, you never know - perhaps they'll get staff who can then.
Ayy, the Tories are in the ascendance - I hope they make use of it. There really are some plans that need to be projected. Summer season before an election is vital planning time.
Anyway, happy birthday.
Sir Paddy for speaker. He is a Par-lee-a-mentarian of the highest order.
The boy done good - long my he serve!
I hope Mrs Tapsell remembered, bet Pete didn't have a clue. It's a brilliant time for democracy but the folks who pay for media are the ones who get it online - ergo tax it or let it fend for itself. I think it's pretty stable left all alone. BBC needs to slow the chuff down.
Soft landings - 10%, 5% there, sure no one will notice. Gotta get trim and gotta do it quick.
Ican't stand the pompous oaf. When a researcher in the Commons in the 90's we had a bar where we were allowed to meet in one of the outer buildings. Sir Parick Cormack FSA fought a successful campaign to have it allocated MP only and despite the fact no MP ever used it, insisted it stayed that way. I led a rebellion of tired leg drinkers one Thursday night (when all MPs were at home) when we sat down in the empty bar and tellingly no one moved us. The underground scored a success as his edict was widely ignored afterwards.
Norway? Surely SPC was referring to eurovision and not Chamberlain. That would have been utterly ridiculous. the man would have to be a class A idiot to compare this to WWII
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