Speaker Bercow - Bumptious little oik isn't he?

News is spreading that Speaker Bercow may be challenged today and I am all for that. The Speaker is meant to be a non-partisan position and up until Michael Martin's tenure it was. Michael Martin was a Labour Speaker, installed by a Labour party at the height of its powers in 1997 that decided not to back a Conservative candidate, as tradition would dictate, but instead install a loyal Labour MP. With Michael Martin's political demise Labour realised that another Labour MP as Speaker might be a step too far, so instead voted in as Speaker a Conservative MP who received no votes from his own party.

Whilst I agree that Menzies Campbell has the gravitas to be Speaker I am not sure how impartial he would be, he has some worrying links to the old Gordon Brown Labour party in Scotland. My vote, if I had one, would be for Sir Alan Haselhurst, he's been an excellent Deputy Speaker and would be a pretty non-controversial choice.

The next Speaker of the House of Commons

Now that Michael Martin has finally noticed that he is about as popular as his mate Gordon Brown and announced his resignation for just over a month's time, the race is on the be the new Speaker. What could be finer than luxurious Westminster apartments, a large entertainment budget and lots of foreign jaunts.

Already the just about Conservative MP, John Bercow, who seems to have spent much of the last few years buttering up Labour MPs, possibly for just this opportunity, looks like jumping into the fray and the BBC seem like they might look favourably upon him. He would meet the "fairness" doctrine of being a Conservative but so loosely that the Labour/BBC alliance could support him.

Other possible candidates include Sir Alan Haselhurst, one of the deputy Speakers, who the BBC carefully talk down in their "Speaker: Runners and riders". In fact the whole BBC list is a fine example of how the BBC try and set the agenda, so here it is with my comments:

"ALAN BEITH - CONFIRMED CANDIDATE

Veteran Lib Dem MP, with more than 30 years experience. Former party leadership contender. Chairman of the constitutional affairs committee. Respected figure who was in the running for the job in 2000. Has told his local newspaper, the Newcastle Journal, he plans to stand again this time: "This is a crucial time for the House of Commons and if I have enough support across the parties, I am willing to take on the task of leading reform as Speaker. But it is a matter for the House to decide.""
Lib Dem and therefore preferable, in the BBC's mind, to a Tory


SIR GEORGE YOUNG - YET TO CONFIRM

Conservative grandee and widely-respected chairman of the Standards and Privileges Committee. One of the bookmakers' favourites to land the job of Speaker after missing out in 2000. But Eton-educated background may count against him in the eyes of Labour MPs. Ladbrokes make him 8/1.
After all the "class war" accusations made by and on behalf of Michael Martin, the BBC have to try and start another one. I presume if the BBC can get it out there that having gone to Eton disbars one from becoming Speaker then maybe they could do the same for putative Prime Ministers. Is there a Labour equivalent of "Conservative Grandee"? There must be a phrase to describe the sort of long-serving Labour MP who is part of the Labour establishment...


SIR ALAN HASELHURST -YET TO CONFIRM

Conservative MP and deputy speaker. Widely-respected figure who also served as deputy to former Speaker Betty Boothroyd. Another favourite at the bookmakers but being singled out by The Daily Telegraph for claiming £142,119 in second homes allowances since 2001, despite having no mortgage on the property, will not help his chances. Joint favourite at 4/1 with Frank Field, according to Ladbrokes.
"Widely-respected" at the moment but let's see if the BBC can change that with mention of his expenses.


SIR MENZIES CAMPBELL - YET TO CONFIRM

Former Liberal Democrat leader. Respected for his integrity on all sides of the house and was one of the favourites to land the job last time. But chances may be hampered by criticism of his second home allowance claim.
A real BBC favourite and not a Tory... Odd how Alan Hazelhursts second home allowance figure is detailed but Sir Menzies' is just alluded to.


FRANK FIELD -YET TO CONFIRM

Maverick former Labour minister who sometimes seem more respected on Opposition side of the house - which may count against him if he decides to run. Led successful campaign to reverse 10p tax band cut. Has also led calls for wholesale reform of the Commons.
Nice choice of words here; "maverick" I presume because he did "think the unthinkable" and not back down. I also like the fact that the sucessful candidate must be acceptable to Labour which seems to mean be a loyal Labour MP, do the BBC understand the history of the Speaker's role?


JOHN BERCOW - YET TO CONFIRM

Backbench Tory MP. Former right winger, who has moved towards the centre in recent years. Thought to have the backing of several Labour MPs for the Speaker's job but may not be popular enough with his own side to stand a realistic chance. Ladbrokes have him at 8/1.
"Moved towards the centre", surely moved right through the centre and heading left. No mention of Jhn Bercow's expenses, why?


SIR PATRICK CORMACK -YET TO CONFIRM

Veteran Tory backbencher who was in the running for the job last time. Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Expert on constitutional affairs but may be seen as too much of a traditionalist to lead changes demanded by most MPs.
I wouldn't disagree but again a Conservative MP with negative points.


CHRIS MULLIN - YET TO CONFIRM

Former Labour minister and diarist, with an independent-minded streak. Standing down at the next election but has been talked of as a possible interim candidate for Speaker, who might gain the necessary cross-party support.
An interesting choice, again positively spoken of as he is a Labour MP.


TONY WRIGHT - YET TO CONFIRM

Widely-respected chairman of the public administration committee, who has led a number of investigations into the conduct of MPs and civil servants. Has been talked of by some as a possible contender from the Labour benches.
More positive coverage of a Labour candidate.


VINCE CABLE -YET TO CONFIRM

Well-known figure with the public who would also be respected on all sides of the house. May wish to stick with the Lib Dem Treasury brief with which he has made his name.
The BBC's favourite economics expert, often the only opposition MP allowed to voice his opinions on the BBC. The BBC would be loathe to lose him as then they might have to interview a Tory.


SYLVIA HEAL - YET TO CONFIRM

Labour MP and deputy speaker. Sister of Labour MP Ann Keen, who organised Michael Martin's successful campaign for the Speakership in 2000.
No mention of Ann Keen's troughing exploits?


RICHARD SHEPHERD - YET TO CONFIRM

Independent-minded veteran Tory MP, first elected in 1979. Has led criticism of Speaker Martin. Stood unsuccessfully for the Speakership in October 2000. Ladbrokes makes him 14/1.
I think the BBC are unsure about this one as this one is in note form, maybe still waiting for No 10's steer.


ANN WIDDECOMBE - RULED HERSELF OUT

The former shadow home secretary is one of Parliament's best-known and most respected figures. Has said she is definitely standing down at the next general election and appeared to pour cold water on the idea of doing the Speaker's job on an interim basis in a BBC interview, after allies on the Tory benches talked up her chances of landing it.
The BBC don't agree with much of Ann Widecombe's views and would hate to see her as Speaker, hence the talking down of the chances of her standing as an interim candidate. Of course an interim candidate is the Labour/BBC's nightmare scenario as that means that the new Parliament, a Parliament likely to have a large Conservative majority, might elect as Speaker someone who the opposition benches might think unsuitable, rather as the 1997 Labour Party did. This is not how the Speaker should be elected but by deviating from the convention of alternating Speakers (in 1997) the Labour party have likely brought this into happening.

This might explain Alistair Darling's remarks about jobs in Scotland

Alistair Darling made it clear today that he had "spoken to the Bank about the need to maintain a significant presence in Scotland" and also that "a key concern is about jobs is about maintaining a significant presence in Edinburgh. Why would Edinburgh jobs be more important than Halifax jobs? Two reasons spring to mind; one electoral and one rather more controversial. The electoral one is that there is a Scottish by-election coming up and Labour desperately need to hold on to the seat in the face of the SNP. The other reason is the Claim of Right signed as far by, amongst others, Alistair Darling and Gordon Brown that states (my emphasis):

" We, gathered as the Scottish Constitutional Convention, do hereby acknowledge the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the form of Government best suited to their needs, and do hereby declare and pledge that in all our actions and deliberations their interests shall be paramount.

We further declare and pledge that our actions and deliberations shall be directed to the following ends:

To agree a scheme for an Assembly or Parliament for Scotland;

To mobilise Scottish opinion and ensure the approval of the Scottish people for that scheme; and

To assert the right of the Scottish people to secure implementation of that scheme."

Has England been stitched up yet again by the Scottish mafia that have been running the UK since 1997?


Other significant politicians to have signed this document include Menzies Campbell, the late Robin Cook, the late Donald Dewar, Charles Kennedy, Speaker Michael Martin, John Reid, George Robertson and David Steel. George Galloway also signed the document.

Do I hear the sound of contented chuckling from Number 10?

Sir Menzies Campbell resigns as leader of the Liberal Democrats with immediate effect. The Conservative revival has been more at the expense of Lib Dem voters than Labour. Back in the days of Charles Kennedy the Lib Dems were recording opinion poll figures of well over 20%, now they are down to 11%. Nick Clegg would be the sort of Lib Dem leader who could get voters to return to the party from the Conservatives. Maybe the Conservatives need to start a campaign to get Lembit Opik to stand.

An alternative possibility, that would have Gordon Brown reaching for the sleeping tablets, would be the Liberal Democrats splitting. The "Orange Book" free marketeer brigade including Vincent Cable, Nick Clegg, Edward Davey, Chris Huhne, Susan Kramer and Steve Webb would surely feel more at home in the Conservative party whilst the Simon Hughes, Norman Baker and Paul Holmes might be happier in the Liberal Party. Where Mark Oaten would feel happier is a whole other matter. Now that would be an interesting scenario.