Well that was short and sweet - all of thirty seconds long! A complete anti climax, and perhaps that's the way it should be. On June 22 we will have a new speaker.
James Landale has just reported that there is a growing mood among MPs for an "interim Speaker" who would take charge of things until the next election. He says Ann Widdecombe's name is being floated. Coincidentally, just as I was listening to Landale's report I got a call from a very socially liberal Conservative MP suggesting the very same thing. It seems
The very thought is so appealing I think I need to go and have a lie down.
It would at least stop the nonsense about a sectarian plot against Martin!
ReplyDeleteI've heard worse ideas but they need a permenant figure. An interim figure isn't going to do the job, I don't think.
ReplyDeleteEqually, MPs have to resist the urge for a celebrity speaker in the mould of Vince Cable.
Vote for Widdy!
ReplyDeleteKen Clarke would be just the ticket.
ReplyDeleteHe wants something, but would it really be as a cabinet minister again ?
He has the gumption and the knowledge to take the commons where it needs to go.
I bloody hope not.
ReplyDeleteShe wanted MPs expenses to remain secret. Vote Widdecombe to preserve the status quo.
she gets my vote
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Widdy kicking some ass! Bring it on.
ReplyDeleteAW would be marvellous.
ReplyDeleteBut watching the proceedings live on the Internet,my own reactions were twofold. First in any other job a disgraced office-holder has to go at once. Why doesn't this rule apply to Michael Martin? Secondly it was immensely depressing to see one or two die-hard Martin fans standing up to try and hand out "tributes." Graphic evidence of the degree to which some of our parliamentarians are out of touch with reality.
I refer you to your own words on Sunday, as appealing as the sound of Ann Widdecombe as Speaker might be:
ReplyDelete"In addition, the new Speaker needs to be chosen by this House of Commons, not the next one. It is unfair on 150-200 new MPs to expect them to be able to judge the candidates. Current MPs know the strengths and weaknesses of each of the likely candidates. Party politics should not play a part in it and for that reason Conservatives should not worry about the wrong person being chosen."
She'll sit in the Speakers Chair, quietly stroking a white cat and plotting how to take over the world.
ReplyDeleteIf she sees naughty MPs, a slow deliberate press of a button and a trapdoor will open under the MP, plunging them down into the shark infested pool that lurks under the Commons.
what do you mean, you didn't know about the shark pool?
A transliteration of the Speaker's statement:
ReplyDeleteI'm buggering off, now f*** the lot of yous!
"He says Ann Widdecombe's name is being floated. "
ReplyDeleteI'd like them to try that with Widdecombe herself, not just her name.
Would solve a question I've always had. At least, according to Middle Age religious doctrine, anyway.
I can't see this happening. She is too polarising a figure. We need someone who will draw equal amounts of respect from all sides of the house like Frank Field, Vince Cable or David Davis.
ReplyDeleteI hope she gets it.
ReplyDeleteBetty Boothroyd with steel toe caps.
Ann Widdicombe voted to hide MPs expenses last year on that FOI update so she is tainted so no.
ReplyDeleteWould she do it though. And so the betting begins....
ReplyDeleteShe would be great - but I think Labour are way too tribal to ever vote for her.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile - Michael Martin's greatest hits - at 28 seconds laughing at Gordon Brown at PMQ's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7dEDhcNs_c&feature=channel_page
Hard to see where she'd find time to fit it in alongside all her other outside interests. She hasn't bothered to turn up to the House much over the course of her career, why would she bother now?
ReplyDeleteAs long as they elect someone who is actually competent this time, I think most people would have no problem with a long term Speaker.
ReplyDeleteQuite a few also seem to want reform of the position. The thing is, there's nothing wrong with the power in the chair, the problem was that the power was wielded by an incompetent who was elected by party whips. We don't need to change the role of the Speaker.
Fair enough to an interim speaker, but let's measure their tenure in days or weeks, rather than months. We want a General Election, and we want it now.
ReplyDeleteOh God no! That hectoring high-pitched squeal. Please ... anybody but her.
ReplyDeleteI must admit to having a soft spot for Ms Widdecombe too. She's a good sensible woman.
ReplyDeleteToo shrill.
ReplyDeleteAnne Widdecombe, strolling down the road in red twin set? Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAn interim speaker is a terrible idea. As much as I like Ann Widdecombe we need a full-time Speaker who will serve through this Parliament and the next. No small fixes. WE NEED BIG CHANGE!
ReplyDeleteIf Ann Widdicombe or whoever else can make Government answer questions and ensure the opposition ask them, we might begin getting somewhere.
ReplyDeleteThis is not so much an elected dictatorship as one allowed by the inaction of Parliament. How much legislation is Parliament allowing to come to be without their scrutiny? How many policies have been announce on tv rather than in Parliament? Martin should have publically rebuked MPs for doing that.
Why is Parliament dancing to the Executive's tune? Again.
They could have removed Martin themselves had they the wherewithal to do it. The Government is being allowed to dictate terms to our representatives in Parliament. We have authority and vest it in our MPs. Why will they not exercise it?
Interim? For how long? Suppose there is an election in 6 months?
ReplyDeleteIts a daft idea.
Reforms won't be carried out in a few months.
Widdy, your country needs you! Drag her to the chair!
ReplyDelete30 seconds is short & sweet eh? I've finished my cigarette and am in the land of nod. Good waste of 22 seconds methinks personally.
ReplyDelete"interim speaker"?
ReplyDeleteWell, if we are going to rewrite the whole unwritten constitution why stop there?
Your next Broon!!!
ReplyDeleteshe has just said no way on BBC News 24!
ReplyDeleteShe said she is going and no way!
She just ruled it out on BBC News
ReplyDeleteThe very thought of 'Ms W' screeching "Order-Order" has made me think of when I last sighted my ear defenders!!!
ReplyDeleteYours Aye,
Ex Bootneck
This is better than "have I got news for you":-)
ReplyDeleteHope not. She is supposed to be standing down at the next election. It doesn't make a lot of sense to have 200 or so new MPs vote for a Speaker from candidates that they don't know. Much better to appoint a speaker who will be around for the next government.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you get what they wished for:
ReplyDeletehttp://eureferendum.blogspot.com/2009/05/scorched-earth.html
the best choice, that will stop the troughing and the BS.
ReplyDeleteWiddecombe for Speaker.
I think you mean the idea is appalling - not appealing!
ReplyDeleteJust heard the news that Michael Martin is stepping down next month. Good. One Scot down, one more to go.
ReplyDeleteBut what about the Bercow Bandwagon?
ReplyDeletehttp://bercowforspeaker.blogspot.com/
I agree Ann Widdicombe would be very good. I have read in the Telegraph that Michael Martin is going to push through his reforms or rather Gordon Browns reforms of the Speakers office I do not think it a good idea to allow Gordon Brown and his Cambinet of thieves to reform the Speakers role by making the fees office independant and the Speakers role just being to keep order etc. How do we know that Brown will not put his cronies in as independant I think it should be left to the next Speaker and checked and made sure that it is indeed independant from the House of Commons I do not trust Brown.
ReplyDeleteAnn Widdecombe forthrightly shot down this notion live on BBC News 24 a short time ago.
ReplyDeleteAnne Widdecome has categorically denied (on Pravda) wanting anything other than to stand down at the next GE.
ReplyDeleteWe'll see.
OMG NO NO NO every bone in her rather large body is political.
ReplyDeleteCan she be trusted to be non partisan
i doubt it.
And she would be a driving engine behind parlimentary and political reform...... how?
ReplyDeleteAppealing - no appalling!
ReplyDeleteSince she's one of the 'saints', it's not a bad idea. She's straight-forward, logical and fair.
ReplyDeleteI don't think an interim Speaker is a good idea though. We need to concerted change to start on 22nd June so that new measures can be introduced after the recess.
Just as long as you don't go and have a lie down with Miss W...
ReplyDeleteNo, no, no, no, no, no, no!
ReplyDeleteHmmm.. I can't really see the trendy pot-smoking Tories [in the past, natch..] or the Labourites really getting behind her on this.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, since she seems to be against the 'my shirt is hairier than yours' approach, one could argue that she is not quite in the same 'zeitgeist' on this as, say, the Liberal Democrats ?
Widdecombe backed the third reading of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill to try and keep expenses secret. She consequently found herself on the Daily Mail's Roll of Dishonour along with a lot of other people who wanted to keep everything quiet including the Wintertons, McNulty, Tom Harris, Stuart Bell, Stephen Pound, David Maclean etc.
ReplyDeleteIt's still there, interesting reading with hindsight:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-455877/MPs-freedom-information-cover-dark-day-democracy.html
It doesn't matter who the new speaker is... once the 'reforms' to the speakership come into force and New Labour (with Tory/Liberal ignorance) neuters Parliament still further. Now we know why Gorbals want to want until 21st June (a long wait until the longest day). Another battle in the war is lost. This is a depressing day for parliamentary democracy.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I say this: because Martin went on the PM's say so, not the House's. The Cabinet (what's it got to do with them!!!!) will put forward proposals to make the Speaker a purely ceromonial role (why not, Parliament is only really any good for ceromony nowadays). So Gorbals' departure becomes another chance for Labour to conduct more constitutional vandalism.
It's truly is no longer a General Election that we need, rather it's a guillotine!
Ray Griffin
Coventry
almost anyone but Bercow.........
ReplyDeleteIts a good start but Speaker Martin should have gone straight away, as soon as he had finished his statement.
ReplyDeleteAn interim speaker would not do the job at all- any speaker elected must be done so on the basis of ebing in post for 8-10 years, with a mandate to reform the Commons in all ways.
This is a ridiculous idea and one she rubbished on sky news with Kay Burley.
ReplyDeleteI hope they elect someone who has a view on the future. I would like to see Frank Field as I see him both as an honourable individual but a brave one as well.
It worries me not that he is a Labour MP,he has shown independance of thought on so many occasions.
There is also the excellent Mr Carswell who certainly has got extremely novel idea's for involving the people! He even suggested that the people should have a say in the choice of new speaker!
I cannot imagine Ken Clarke agreeing!
Let us hope they do not go for Mr Misery himself, Vince Cable, or Ming the impossible.
The daftest I heard was Jack Straw. Now wouldn't he love it. He would bring back the wig (powdered of course)!
Still, it will be a very interesting few weeks.
Martin has not said he will resign from Parliament! Perhaps he will stay and put the boot in on those who brought about his demise.
Ahem, told you so last week.
ReplyDeleteNo one will argue with Widdicombe and slappings are needed.
Sir George Young or Richard Shepherd. Not Frank Field - many virtues but doesn't have the authoritative clout, and is too involved in his own campaigns anyway.
ReplyDeleteAnd NOT Cable. He got where he is today on the basis of one clever line at PMQs.
Nay nay and thrice nay
ReplyDeleteFor goodness sake she voted to exempt Parliament from FOI.
Do my eyes deceive me or is that Kim Howells delivering the 7/7 report? Many think he should be in prison for his actions following the killing of the taxi driver during the Miner's Strike. Would you trust this tosser with secrets?
ReplyDeleteFrredom to Prosper
Some Glasgow labour MP was blaming parliamentary sketch writers for the speakers woes. Should not call him Gorbals Mick - boo hoo. BBC reporter agog.
ReplyDeleteWhat this proves of course is that Labour whips can put lipstick onto a pig but its still a pig.
Watch pout for Brown trying to get his own way by stealth
No doubt the next few days will see huge 'hyping' of candidates to try and 'massage' the betting odds...
ReplyDeleteIf cranky Widdi gets it I am off to bloody Tibet with my lesbian girl friend.
ReplyDeleteIain
ReplyDeleteI would appreciate an overview of the key responsibilities and powers of the Speaker.
How about John Prescott for speaker?
ReplyDeleteCome on, we need cheering up!
What about Richard Younger Ross? He certainly got Blair in a spin during his last PMQ's, and he has a good understanding of Erskine May.
ReplyDeleteThe next speaker needs to be Devil's Kitchen. He'd not only clean up Parliament, but he'd make damn sure MPs behaved themselves.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I notice comment moderation was off yesterday but back on today. You been getting spammed again, Iain?
The role of parliament is being downgraded to a rubber stamp rump fit only to enforce the EU masters orders?
ReplyDeleteWhat is really happening and what is the real agenda here?
The new EU constitution is being hammered into place even before it is enacted, our centuries old democratic parliament has been smashed to pieces and the peoples faith in its ultimate institution has been destroyed, I dont think any of this is an accident, its all to cute and cosy isnt it?
If you wanted to rip away a subjects old system of laws and democracy and replace it with a new system beholden to the new EU superstate then what is happening right now is perfect cover to do it!
Isnt it just too convenient that the new speakers role will fit perfectly with the required role of rubber stamping and obeying the new constitution?
The EU constitution requires the total subservience of the nations parliaments and it requires that parliaments MUST work for the federal state AHEAD of the individual nations interests.
WHAT IF?
What if the end result 'just happens' to dovetail perfectly with the incoming EU constitution, we know it is the basis of a federal superstate, we know that governments have been bullied into making preparations to fit the constitution into national frameworks even though it hasnt been ratified yet.
WHAT IF?
What if the end result of the changes that parliament is undergoing was planned all along and the destruction of the peoples faith in its national democratic institution was a ploy to help this along.
WHO BENEFITS?
The Speaker must not be an MP who might otherwise be at risk of losing their seat so I would suggest that no candidate for Speaker should have had a less than 10,000 majority at the last General Election.
ReplyDeleteThat leaves Field and Davis in the frame but would unfortunately exclude Cable 9,965 (was a Tory seat to 1997) Huhne 568 (LibDem but inherited due to ennoblement and after being parachuted in obtained a vastly reduced majority.)
Widdy would be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteGet her in there, now!
Iain I see that Paul Waugh is recommeding you for Hogg's seat!!
ReplyDelete"paulwaugh Another thought: Iain Dale for Douglas Hogg's seat? Works harder than most MPs, impressive on media, done his time etc."
wv ametere!
Ian would be an excellent speaker. He never shuts up.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a tie Iain!!
ReplyDeleteWidders is way too shrill and way too reactionary. not a chance....
ReplyDeletevince cable would be excellent.
Well, if you want a Speaker long-term ......... William Hague.
ReplyDeleteDiscuss (or ridicule).
He is at heart a Parliamentarian, and quick on his feet.
As Julia M suggests, the idea of Ann Widdecombe being "floated" rather reminds one of the test for Witchcraft, and is most appealing.
ReplyDeleteI also like the Bond villain analogy.
Wouldn't it be great if the Speaker had a little lever he or she could pull so that nuisance MPs could be "taken care of".
Except I don't go with the "Shark Pool" idea. Sharks are too ready to recognise their own.
Ken Clarke is not a runner. He would get too waspish from nicotine withdrawal during long debates.
Frank Field is labour, so out of the running according to the pundits.
Vince Cable leaving the Lib Dem front bench would leave them with one leg too few.
I suppose all I ask is that the next incumbent can read and write and does not wish to conduct a class war. Is that too much to ask?
I go for Frank field, his own man, incorruptible and a Parliamentarian.
ReplyDeleteDavid Davies, maybe a step too far for some.
Someone mentioned William Hague, a good choice but would the party want to see him become Speaker, but he is a Parliamentarian at heart with a forensic mind and an appreciation of history and the role of the Speaker in political life
Come on you goddamn wimps....protest like this is BS..Ann for Speaker. Protest on the streets....you got rid of Gorbles..now get rid Of McBruin...make England worthy of us...we are giving it away...come for f**k sake on and get it sorted... I want to proud to be English(ENGLISH NOT BRITISH ANY LONGER) again...ad forget the BBC its like listening to Blair..(by the way where is Blair ???)
ReplyDeleteHe didn't need to call MPs to the commons, he said so little, he could have embraced technology instead.
ReplyDeleteThe job was made for Widdy.
ReplyDelete