political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Who Should Be The Next Speaker of the House of Commons?
I have devised a short survey, the main question of which is who do you think should succeed Michael Martin as Speaker of the House of Commons.
I quite like Alan Haslehurst. Not that bothered if he's been raking in the cash on expenses as which of them hasn't. The most important need for the new Speaker is competence and he's the only Deputy Speaker that looks even vaguely competent at the job.
I am a longtime reader although I prefer to remain anonymous. I think it has come to the point where every sitting Tory MP that isn't standing down at the next election should face a re-selection process. I know there are many fine MPs who don't deserve to go through this but if every Tory MP, including David Cameron, were to do this then surely it would help restore confidence in the party itself and among the general public. There may well be some deselections, but the process should be nationwide - it would be difficult for David Cameron to enact but it would surely be fair. I would really be interested to hear your thoughts on this.
Despite being a Tory i know the current parliament won't elect a Tory as speaker, and a third Labour speaker in a row would be indefensible. It has to be a Lib Dem. I think both Ming Campbell and Charles Kennedy would both make excellent speakers.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. There won't be any shortage of candidates when the time comes. This placeholder has been inadequate from the year 2000. He is not the resignin kind unless he is promised a peerage so that he can carry on troughing. That would be another disgrace!
If they are to convince people they really do mean business then thye must follow the procedure that they didn't follow before. It must go to a conservative, so my guess is Frank Field.
Obnoxio the Clown seems to be pretty fair and even handed. I'd go for him. Plus if any MPs digress then he would know what to do with them. Hopefully it would be in public !
It sounds as if tribalism might come into it. The World At One just said that some Labour MPs are raising a separate Early Day Motion because they don't want to support something proposed by a Conservative MP.
Sir George Young has the intelligence, skills, judgement and personality to restore the reputation of the Speaker's role and re-establish the standing of Parliament.
The name that comes instantly to mind is Ann Widdecombe. Shes public-spirited, respects the traditions of Parliament and isn't afraid to walk her own path.
Its hard to think of someone else who springs so readily to mind.
I suppose Ming's okay for it although he's demonstrated himself to be a bit of a lightweight when it comes to big decisions. Personally I think Bob Marshall Andrews would be funny, I like the way he comes across and he would offend as many Labour MPs as Tories. But the best candidate for an interim Speaker would be Michael Howard as he's standing down at the next election...
Ann Widdecombe would be the cheapest solution. As she looks rather masculine and Michael Martin called her a man, then all the Mr Speaker stationary would not have to be replaced.
As long as it's not Patrick Cormack (shudder) and I'm a Tory! Anne Widdecombe would be great, Frank Field ditto, though I think another Labour speaker might be a mistake. Ming Campbell would do, I like him!
Till this week I would have gone with Ming. But he’s damaged goods now, surely? Trying to think of someone who hasn’t been fingered by the DT (yet) and also looking at the various committee chairmen, Edward Leigh? (Though, as a Thatcherite tory, he may not get much support from the other side..)
In the survey, and with a breathtaking piece of toadying, I suggested one Iain Dale..
As a long-term reader, I'm sure that this is the fifth or sixth time that Iain has run a survey to determine Who Should Be The Next Speaker of the House of Commons ;-)
Hang on - plenty of people here recommending names of MPs who have been caught up in the expenses malarkey.
Ming Campbell, Alan Haselhurst, both have taken heat over their expenses.
The party the Speaker comes from *shouldn't* matter - the recent 'convention' (and Im not convinced the convention is alternation, rather than the party in power at the time of a vacancy) aside, it should be the most honest man or woman capable of putting the Commons before their party loyalty.
I'd say Richard Shepherd or Andrew McKinley. George Young or Michael Lord would not be a bad shout either.
Anne Widdecombe would be great fun, but her vote on Don Touhig's amendment to keep the John Lewis list makes her as culpable as most of them, I'm afraid.
Frank Field, but Sir George Young would be perfectly suitable. These are parliamentarians with enough experience to put party to one side. Frank the best of them, if he can persuaded to take it. If the thing is delayed until after the election, and with the Tories in office, he would still be the man for the job. Widely respected inside and out of the Commons - and my goodness the next Speaker is going to need all the respect he can gather, since earning it is going to be tough.
The next Speaker should be chosen from those who have not taken any expense(s) other than those wholly,exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. This is the test for morality and honesty that gets them to the baseline, to cross it and be a serious contender they must not be a tribal politician who only votes as directed by Party Whips. To shorten the odds further on a successful stab at getting the job it would be a big boost if they had voted against the Iraq war and for FOI (freedom of information) on all things relative to MPs' expenses including monthly publication of second home addresses.
The usual tactic is pick an opposition MP as speaker. On a crunch vote where the ayes and nays are equal, the speaker votes on behalf of the government. A clever government is effcetively reducing the oppostion by 1 vote. Hence John Major backing Betty Boothroyd because he had a small majority. (not that majority - Edwina never confirmed)
Labour had such a commanding majority, they didi not bother. Was there not some whiff od scandal attached to Gorbals Mick's coronation? Was he not a rank outsider and did several MPs not make some big betting wins?
I think it's worth noting that very few MPs can be confident of retaining their seat at the next election after all these scandals. It would be nice if we could have a fresh start after the election which is why I think a temporary Speaker like Michael Howard is attractive. The next Parliament can then start again with a new Speaker and hopefully a new ethos. I live in hope. I've thought about it some more and read some comments and have decided against Ming.
Ann Widdecombe?? Well,if it would be as funny as her appearance on "Have I Got News For You",then the Parliament TV channel would have 20 million viewers every day! By the way - I cannot understand any of these words on the word verification thingy below this box - what DOES "uncessn" actually mean?
Frank Field ? I had not thought of him but on reflection a very interesting choice.Although not of my political persuasion I think he would make a good alternative to the rather sad and ineffectual present incumbent.
The only MPs who should be considered for the Speaker vacancy, should be those who can demonstrate an absolutely clean record on their expense claims over the years they have been an MP. The new Speaker must have the utmost integrity and command the full respect from all fellow MPs in the House whatever their politics. They should also be a person of humility, calm, not self seeking, nor ambitious for personal power and gain and who won't have biased or unbalanced views, when topics are debated, they must be completely even handed. The MP who springs to mind who meets all of these qualities is Iain Duncan Smith who has claimed next to nothing in the last four years for second home or hotel expenses. He has the utmost integrity and of excellent good character and who is respected by all.
His detailed report on 'Breakdown Britain' proved the excellent work he is capable of and that he sincerely has the welfare of the nation at heart. He is in politics for what he can give not what he can take. (unlike so many others in the present Parliament who seem to be out from what they can get).
He is a man of humility with a clear speaking voice and also a good listener. He is the one who should be encouraged to stand and given full support across party lines from the whole House. He is the man to sort out this terrible mess and restore the publics confidence in Parliament and in the important office of Speaker of the House.
He even showed great composure and dignity when he was forced to stand down as opposition leader, despite the fact he was stabbed in the back by people, in his own party, who showed themselves to have no loyalty and no decency in the way they publicly undermined a very decent person. A lesser person would of crumbled and later been full of vengeful bitterness. But not IDS he just carried on in his calm dignified way even though he must of been hurting inside. In my book he is an honest professional. He is a man of true honour.,a very rare find indeed these days.
Heather Brooke?
ReplyDeleteAs for who, not sure, as for who shouldnt be?:
ReplyDeleteNo McLabour MP.
No none English elected MP.
A pity Ann Widdecombe is standing down is all I can say, she would be superb and who would argue with her?
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy with Ming (no, I'm not a Lib Dem).
ReplyDeleteI don't know that there are any that have the public trust I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteNot an easy question, have to agree Ann Widdecombe would have been good but.....omg I'll need to think about this.
ReplyDeleteRay Winstone.
ReplyDelete"Get aht of my hahhhhse!"
I quite like Alan Haslehurst. Not that bothered if he's been raking in the cash on expenses as which of them hasn't. The most important need for the new Speaker is competence and he's the only Deputy Speaker that looks even vaguely competent at the job.
ReplyDeleteGUIDO FAWKES - Free Guinness for all
ReplyDeleteOT
ReplyDeleteSurely those two bent Lords have committed a far worse crime than MPs and their expenses.
So far not one MP has been accused of taking dosh for laws, just old fashioned dosh for greed.
The two corrupt Lords have perverted the SOURCE of Justice. A suspension from the Lords and slapped wrist is not enough.
Iain,
ReplyDeleteI am a longtime reader although I prefer to remain anonymous. I think it has come to the point where every sitting Tory MP that isn't standing down at the next election should face a re-selection process. I know there are many fine MPs who don't deserve to go through this but if every Tory MP, including David Cameron, were to do this then surely it would help restore confidence in the party itself and among the general public. There may well be some deselections, but the process should be nationwide - it would be difficult for David Cameron to enact but it would surely be fair. I would really be interested to hear your thoughts on this.
Despite being a Tory i know the current parliament won't elect a Tory as speaker, and a third Labour speaker in a row would be indefensible. It has to be a Lib Dem. I think both Ming Campbell and Charles Kennedy would both make excellent speakers.
ReplyDeleteHow about asking Betty Boothroyd to come out of retirement for the remainder of this Parliament?
ReplyDeleteLet's not get ahead of ourselves. There won't be any shortage of candidates when the time comes.
ReplyDeleteThis placeholder has been inadequate from the year 2000. He is not the resignin kind unless he is promised a peerage so that he can carry on troughing. That would be another disgrace!
If they are to convince people they really do mean business then thye must follow the procedure that they didn't follow before. It must go to a conservative, so my guess is Frank Field.
ReplyDeleteSir George Young or Ming. Not anyone Labour that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteEven McDoom couldn't be stupid enough to install someone from Labour could he?
Charles Kennedy? Don't be daft. Can you imagine: "The Rt Hon Gentleman is my best mate, he is"
ReplyDeleteI vote for Frank Field.
ReplyDeleteHe has proved himself numerous times to be a clear thinker and always acts as a parliamentarian rather than a faceless tribal devotee.
The Beast of Bolsover.
ReplyDeleteTommy McAvoy as a potential speaker - you are having a laugh!
ReplyDeleteIf the DT could furnish us with details of who is squeaky clean, we might have an idea.
ReplyDeleteBlimey, (off topic I know) but at the rate the money is coming back Darling will have to revisit his budget.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness, the 17% rise in expenses they voted in, should that not actually be a 17% cut?
Obnoxio the Clown seems to be pretty fair and even handed. I'd go for him. Plus if any MPs digress then he would know what to do with them.
ReplyDeleteHopefully it would be in public !
Lembit Opik!
ReplyDeleteHazel Blears...
ReplyDeleteThe beast of Bolsover.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if tribalism might come into it. The World At One just said that some Labour MPs are raising a separate Early Day Motion because they don't want to support something proposed by a Conservative MP.
ReplyDeleteJudge John Bean
ReplyDeleteKate Hoey. Facebook group.
ReplyDeleteRichard Shepherd
ReplyDeleteSir George Young has the intelligence, skills, judgement and personality to restore the reputation of the Speaker's role and re-establish the standing of Parliament.
ReplyDeleteHazel Blears
ReplyDeleteHoHoHoHoHO
(David Blunkett?)
Alan Sugar
ReplyDeleteBring back Betty!
ReplyDeleteOk how about Hattie Harperson? Ed Balls? Yvette Cooper? 5 bellies?
ReplyDeleteThe name that comes instantly to mind is Ann Widdecombe. Shes public-spirited, respects the traditions of Parliament and isn't afraid to walk her own path.
ReplyDeleteIts hard to think of someone else who springs so readily to mind.
I'm with Ann Widdecombe on this, she'd be excellent.
ReplyDeleteI suppose Ming's okay for it although he's demonstrated himself to be a bit of a lightweight when it comes to big decisions. Personally I think Bob Marshall Andrews would be funny, I like the way he comes across and he would offend as many Labour MPs as Tories. But the best candidate for an interim Speaker would be Michael Howard as he's standing down at the next election...
ReplyDeleteAnn Widdecombe would be the cheapest solution. As she looks rather masculine and Michael Martin called her a man, then all the Mr Speaker stationary would not have to be replaced.
ReplyDeleteAs long as it's not Patrick Cormack (shudder) and I'm a Tory! Anne Widdecombe would be great, Frank Field ditto, though I think another Labour speaker might be a mistake. Ming Campbell would do, I like him!
ReplyDeleteTill this week I would have gone with Ming. But he’s damaged goods now, surely? Trying to think of someone who hasn’t been fingered by the DT (yet) and also looking at the various committee chairmen, Edward Leigh? (Though, as a Thatcherite tory, he may not get much support from the other side..)
ReplyDeleteIn the survey, and with a breathtaking piece of toadying, I suggested one Iain Dale..
As a long-term reader, I'm sure that this is the fifth or sixth time that Iain has run a survey to determine Who Should Be The Next Speaker of the House of Commons ;-)
ReplyDeleteHang on - plenty of people here recommending names of MPs who have been caught up in the expenses malarkey.
ReplyDeleteMing Campbell, Alan Haselhurst, both have taken heat over their expenses.
The party the Speaker comes from *shouldn't* matter - the recent 'convention' (and Im not convinced the convention is alternation, rather than the party in power at the time of a vacancy) aside, it should be the most honest man or woman capable of putting the Commons before their party loyalty.
I'd say Richard Shepherd or Andrew McKinley. George Young or Michael Lord would not be a bad shout either.
Anne Widdecombe would be great fun, but her vote on Don Touhig's amendment to keep the John Lewis list makes her as culpable as most of them, I'm afraid.
O/T Morley suspended by labs
ReplyDeleteThis is hubris Iain. And dragging party politics into a role that has been non-partisan since Peel.
ReplyDeleteNot just you but all the blogosphere and a few cranky Tory backbenchers too. England doesn't like such arrogance.
Hoey
ReplyDeleteFrank Field, but Sir George Young would be perfectly suitable. These are parliamentarians with enough experience to put party to one side. Frank the best of them, if he can persuaded to take it. If the thing is delayed until after the election, and with the Tories in office, he would still be the man for the job. Widely respected inside and out of the Commons - and my goodness the next Speaker is going to need all the respect he can gather, since earning it is going to be tough.
ReplyDelete@denverthen
ReplyDeleteDavid Blunkett?
That works on so many levels! Ha Ha Ha!
The next Speaker should be chosen from those who have not taken any expense(s) other than those wholly,exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.
ReplyDeleteThis is the test for morality and honesty that gets them to the baseline, to cross it and be a serious contender they must not be a tribal politician who only votes as directed by Party Whips.
To shorten the odds further on a successful stab at getting the job it would be a big boost if they had voted against the Iraq war and for FOI (freedom of information) on all things relative to MPs' expenses including monthly publication of second home addresses.
"Morus said... "
ReplyDeleteThe usual tactic is pick an opposition MP as speaker. On a crunch vote where the ayes and nays are equal, the speaker votes on behalf of the government. A clever government is effcetively reducing the oppostion by 1 vote. Hence John Major backing Betty Boothroyd because he had a small majority. (not that majority - Edwina never confirmed)
Labour had such a commanding majority, they didi not bother. Was there not some whiff od scandal attached to Gorbals Mick's coronation? Was he not a rank outsider and did several MPs not make some big betting wins?
@denverthen
ReplyDeleteDavid Blunkett?
That works on so many levels! Ha Ha Ha!
If that jock prat is replaced the other jock prat (the one eyed one) will simply stick another useless jock in his place.
ReplyDeleteNotice a pattern?
Put Simon Cowell or Jeremy Clarkson in charge.
I think it's worth noting that very few MPs can be confident of retaining their seat at the next election after all these scandals. It would be nice if we could have a fresh start after the election which is why I think a temporary Speaker like Michael Howard is attractive. The next Parliament can then start again with a new Speaker and hopefully a new ethos. I live in hope. I've thought about it some more and read some comments and have decided against Ming.
ReplyDeleteKate Hoey 'ud be all right.
ReplyDeleteNot a moronic party political robot.
English and for an English constituency. Its about time.
Douglas carswell MP with a brief to shake up the whole way this democratic institution in run.
ReplyDeleteHow long has Kate Hoey been English?
ReplyDeleteOh wouldn't it be fun.............
ReplyDelete..Alex Salmond.
Ann Widdecombe??
ReplyDeleteWell,if it would be as funny as her appearance on "Have I Got News For You",then the Parliament TV channel would have 20 million viewers every day!
By the way - I cannot understand any of these words on the word verification thingy below this box - what DOES "uncessn" actually mean?
Ok so Kate hoey is from Norn Irn.
ReplyDeleteI quite like her anyway.
Frank Field would be good too.
Michael Fabricant. He'd just love that silly wig.
ReplyDeleteNick Palmer MP for speaker!
ReplyDeleteORDER - ORDER!
Frank Field ? I had not thought of him but on reflection a very interesting choice.Although not of my political persuasion I think he would make a good alternative to the rather sad and ineffectual present incumbent.
ReplyDeleteI think we can rule out anybody who has a wiff of expenses scandal about them.
ReplyDeleteSomeone persuade Ann Widdecombe to stay on.
The only MPs who should be considered for the Speaker vacancy, should be those who can demonstrate an absolutely clean record on their expense claims over the years they have been an MP. The new Speaker must have the utmost integrity and command the full respect from all fellow MPs in the House whatever their politics. They should also be a person of humility, calm, not self seeking, nor ambitious for personal power and gain and who won't have biased or unbalanced views, when topics are debated, they must be completely even handed. The MP who springs to mind who meets all of these qualities is Iain Duncan Smith who has claimed next to nothing in the last four years for second home or hotel expenses. He has the utmost integrity and of excellent good character and who is respected by all.
ReplyDeleteHis detailed report on 'Breakdown Britain' proved the excellent work he is capable of and that he sincerely has the welfare of the nation at heart. He is in politics for what he can give not what he can take. (unlike so many others in the present Parliament who seem to be out from what they can get).
He is a man of humility with a clear speaking voice and also a good listener. He is the one who should be encouraged to stand and given full support across party lines from the whole House. He is the man to sort out this terrible mess and restore the publics confidence in Parliament and in the important office of Speaker of the House.
He even showed great composure and dignity when he was forced to stand down as opposition leader, despite the fact he was stabbed in the back by people, in his own party, who showed themselves to have no loyalty and no decency in the way they publicly undermined a very decent person. A lesser person would of crumbled and later been full of vengeful bitterness. But not IDS he just carried on in his calm dignified way even though he must of been hurting inside. In my book he is an honest professional. He is a man of true honour.,a very rare find indeed these days.