tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post8700813737282417883..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Ken Clarke Wants to be SpeakerIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-80487659231868773162008-10-17T13:40:00.000+01:002008-10-17T13:40:00.000+01:00In response to anonymous at October 16, 2008 3:43 ...In response to anonymous at October 16, 2008 3:43 PM, it is the whole House which elects the Speaker, but the initial motion is normally proposed from the government benches and I believe past Leaders of the House have had the job of privately sussing out prospective Speakers when a vacancy comes up. As the Boothroyd election shows, a Speaker has to be acceptable to the whole House and the Whips can't be used to impose a government choice.Tim Roll-Pickeringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12589024696145675963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-71067478769760394422008-10-16T22:21:00.000+01:002008-10-16T22:21:00.000+01:00Thus the last posting from Mr Linford says it all ...Thus the last posting from Mr Linford says it all !<BR/><BR/>Osborne worries Tories because he appears to be far too close to Cameron. His heart is in the right place but he is rather too juvenile to be accepted as a serious Shadow Chancellor and so during these very tricky times he is less than convincing to the grass root Tory core vote.<BR/><BR/>Poor Caroline Spelman, as Party Chirman, has recently suffered quite unnecessarily. Great pity because she is a valuable asset.<BR/><BR/>With Osborne likely to become a liability, stick him as Chairman and let Ken Clarke steady the ship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30291398633513271022008-10-16T17:32:00.000+01:002008-10-16T17:32:00.000+01:00I like the idea of Ken as Speaker but like several...I like the idea of Ken as Speaker but like several other commenters I don't think he's quite finished with frontline politics yet....Paul Linfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977920120772282561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-11096067069187505182008-10-16T15:43:00.000+01:002008-10-16T15:43:00.000+01:00i don't think the government nominates the speaker...i don't think the government nominates the speaker - isn't this appointment jealously guarded by the whole house of commons ?<BR/><BR/>alright i know michael martin got selected (who knows how or why) but it was the whole house wot dun it !<BR/><BR/>incidently back in the 80's wasn't margaret m rumoured to be thinking of giving the post to some trusty or other and had to be told NO!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4143271447652765122008-10-16T14:41:00.000+01:002008-10-16T14:41:00.000+01:00liam repeats the myth that the Speakership was mea...liam repeats the myth that the Speakership was meant to deliberately alternate between the main parties until Michael Martin.<BR/><BR/>In fact a new Speaker is normally nominated from the government benches - it just so happens that the turnover of governments in the 1960s and 1970s meant that the vacancies occurred under alternate governments. But in 1959 a Conservative Speaker was followed by another - indeed they were the fourth in a succession of Conservatives since 1928. Between 1835 and 1905 six successive Whigs/Liberals held it in succession, because the vacancies all occurred under such governments.<BR/><BR/>And for a more recent example did the Conservatives nominate a Labour MP in 1992? No. They nominated Peter Brooke - it was a backbench rebellion over putting someone who'd only just left the Cabinet in the chair that led to Betty Boothroyd's election instead.Tim Roll-Pickeringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12589024696145675963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-27646476999782871982008-10-16T14:22:00.000+01:002008-10-16T14:22:00.000+01:00unsworth @ 1.22 - you have it in one !ken clarke -...unsworth @ 1.22 - you have it in one !<BR/><BR/>ken clarke - although i disagree with his pro eu views and inspite of his having a legal background,being a smoker and wearing hush puppies he comes over as someone who would do the job without bias and with humour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-40200090393425694672008-10-16T13:22:00.000+01:002008-10-16T13:22:00.000+01:00Quite nice to think of a Speaker with a proper und...Quite nice to think of a Speaker with a proper understanding of Jazz, a decent Claret, cigars and suede shoes.Unsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307116169498533047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-29441709890180052622008-10-16T13:14:00.000+01:002008-10-16T13:14:00.000+01:00Not possible - unless the Conservatives win the el...Not possible - unless the Conservatives win the election and then it's doubtful if enough of the party would vote him in to the Speakers Chair.<BR/>In the event of Labour holding the majority there is no way that a Tory would ever be allowed to become Speaker I'm afraidAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-13409944756983436712008-10-16T11:31:00.000+01:002008-10-16T11:31:00.000+01:00I remember campainging for Selwyn Lloyd in October...I remember campainging for Selwyn Lloyd in October 1974. The problem was the both the Labour and Lib Dems put up a candidate against him (and its about time that we put candidate's against Labour Speakers)<BR/>What amused me was that we couldn't use Blue in either rossettes or posters. We had to use Green (just as well he wasn't a Glasgow MP) Mind you in that part of the world, the Conservative Party colour had been red until the 1960s anywayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-11792586385119754032008-10-16T11:11:00.000+01:002008-10-16T11:11:00.000+01:00I would much rather see his talents put to good us...I would much rather see his talents put to good use on the Conservative front bench. Ideally as Chancellor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-92062908907259678882008-10-16T11:08:00.000+01:002008-10-16T11:08:00.000+01:00I would say that would be close to the perfect job...I would say that would be close to the perfect job for Ken Clarke. He's too big a Conservative beast to be excluded from cabinet but his views on Europe are too toxic to allow him to be in a Conservative cabinet. Making him Speaker would be a great move BUT unless the Conservatives have a huge majority it may not happen. <BR/><BR/>To the fools who say that Ken Clarke couldn't be Speaker because he is not impartial; have you seen Michael Martin in action?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-19841230451692978722008-10-16T10:26:00.000+01:002008-10-16T10:26:00.000+01:00"Sir Alan Haselhurst and Sir George Young have bot..."Sir Alan Haselhurst and Sir George Young have both been carefully cultivating members on all sides of the house to their respective causes to take the chair."<BR/><BR/>So has John Bercow...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84988026708254207702008-10-16T10:05:00.000+01:002008-10-16T10:05:00.000+01:00I'd be happy to see him as Speaker. I think he'd b...I'd be happy to see him as Speaker. I think he'd be one of the more memorable ones as wellPaul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-73436712310915429362008-10-16T09:59:00.000+01:002008-10-16T09:59:00.000+01:00Ken would be a great choice, but even better in th...Ken would be a great choice, but even better in the cabinet instead of some of the light-weights.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-22828316450934102412008-10-16T09:48:00.000+01:002008-10-16T09:48:00.000+01:00He'd be a lot cheaper than Gorbals Mick...He'd be a lot cheaper than Gorbals Mick...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-72038354645235159132008-10-16T09:30:00.000+01:002008-10-16T09:30:00.000+01:00Please, please make Ken Clarke the Speaker.That me...Please, please make Ken Clarke the Speaker.<BR/><BR/>That means Cameron can't use elevate him as a cabinet minister to cause havoc to the Tory Party.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-32404340343016071022008-10-16T09:28:00.000+01:002008-10-16T09:28:00.000+01:00The Ken Clarke wants to be speaker sounds like a L...The Ken Clarke wants to be speaker sounds like a Labour spin operation.<BR/><BR/>Gordon Brown was chicken for PMQ's yesterday - like the man he is he left a woman to defend his economic record.<BR/><BR/>Brown wanted nice pictures at an international summit and to make sure he was not battered by Cameron. In the event Brown managed to screw his gate crashing of the summit up as well! Something about loft insulation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-47498830501505134252008-10-16T09:26:00.000+01:002008-10-16T09:26:00.000+01:00BROWN'S LOFT INSULATORS.A new franchise that is be...BROWN'S LOFT INSULATORS.<BR/><BR/>A new franchise that is being offered to readers of Iain Dale's Diary at a especial knockdown rate of £5 per area franchise.<BR/><BR/>Brown supplies all the materials and vehicles (emblazoned with the BROWN'S LOFT INSULATORS title on each side and rear of the vans plus a charming photograph of a Smiling Gordon. Enough to ensure success in your franchise area.<BR/><BR/>For details please contact, via email initially, Number 10 Press Office, message for Derek Draper ESQ. Then a thirty six questionnaire will be sent to you for completion, which will ensure that only the genuine newly unemployed with clean driving licences get the positions.<BR/><BR/>Trevorsden need not apply!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-43927070833607108942008-10-16T09:13:00.000+01:002008-10-16T09:13:00.000+01:00Ann Widdecombe<B>Ann Widdecombe</B>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-59286247973627358082008-10-16T09:01:00.000+01:002008-10-16T09:01:00.000+01:00Sir Alan Haselhurst and Sir George Young have both...Sir Alan Haselhurst and Sir George Young have both been carefully cultivating members on all sides of the house to their respective causes to take the chair.<BR/><BR/>Whichever gets it will precipitate the resignation of the other and another plum Tory seat will come free.<BR/><BR/>Better than Clarke in the chair, send him to the Lords to be our lead spokesman there on economic matters, he can beat Mandelson up every week and be a valuable addition to the Conservative team. Being Speaker means he cannot do that.<BR/><BR/>Oh look, another plum Tory seat has come free. BTW, did I tell you? I'm from Rushcliffe!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-65347399925958280882008-10-16T08:51:00.000+01:002008-10-16T08:51:00.000+01:00On the subject of Ken Clarke, now that is how a pr...On the subject of Ken Clarke, now that is how a proper chancellor is supposed to be.<BR/><BR/>Dave has got to do something about Osborne. He is the weakest Link.<BR/><BR/>Take his stupid fuel tax idea for example, if he had his way we would not be seeing the benefits of falling petrol prices at the fuel pumps. The Boy's a moron.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4002663921242608282008-10-16T07:19:00.000+01:002008-10-16T07:19:00.000+01:00I do not think this would be a good idea. Needs to...I do not think this would be a good idea. Needs to be someone respected by all sides. <BR/><BR/>Ken has been good on the TV of late on the credit crisis issue - but he woud be regarded as being too partisan.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps someone like Frank Field - not a Government insider and a proper Parliamentarian. Problem is he is Labour and we woudl have had 3 Labour speakers in a row. <BR/><BR/>Lord Tonypandy once came to speak at my school - he was a man who had integrity written through him like a stick of rock. Sir Alan Haselhurst seems seems simiar to him and he has been a good Deputy Speaker and might be a good choice. Knows the job, and a Conservative so would restore the alternating party system of picking the speaker. Popular, competent and beyond reproach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-34121261707350763542008-10-16T06:36:00.000+01:002008-10-16T06:36:00.000+01:00If the furniture is to be moved around, move Osbor...If the furniture is to be moved around, move Osborne to Party Chairman and Clarke to Shadow Chancellor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-16471328657227463952008-10-16T04:46:00.000+01:002008-10-16T04:46:00.000+01:00I don't know about Ken walking it, but he could pr...I don't know about Ken walking it, but he could probably waddle it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-78055521162130734012008-10-16T02:21:00.000+01:002008-10-16T02:21:00.000+01:00I remember being stunningly disappointed by Sir Ge...I remember being stunningly disappointed by Sir George Young's appearance on Mr Oborne's Dispatches programme about the 'Political Class'. <BR/><BR/>If Sir George is the other option, I say 'Go Clarke!'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com