Choosing a new Speaker
Posted by Michael Fallon, MP for Sevenoaks, at 10:57, Fri 19 June 2009:
On Monday the House of Commons meets to elect a new Speaker. There are ten candidates, so it's not an easy choice. Ann Widdecombe might be the public's favourite but she's retiring from Parliament next year. John Bercow and Sir George Young are the leading Conservative candidates (the last two Speakers have been Labour so isn't it our turn ?) and there's the former Cabinet Minister Margaret Beckett. Who would you vote for ?
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Posted by Victor Southern, 11:30, Fri 19 June 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Anne Widdecombe voted against transparency on MPs expenses. She is also very much involved in Catholic faith issues and may find it difficult to be neutral when such matters as gay adoption, homosexuality and abortion are discussed.
Margaret Beckett is very much a Labour loyalist. Bercow would not command wide respect and Sir George Young is somewhat tainted by the expenses scandal. A pity since otherwise he holds good Tory principles.
I would prefer Alan Beith but would be happy with Richard Shepherd.
Posted by John Buery, 12:07, Fri 19 June 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I would vote for George Young
Posted by Edward Bell, 12:12, Fri 19 June 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I hadn't considered Anne Widdecombe until Mr Southern pointed out that she might be hostile to gay adoption; she thereby goes to the top of my list - provided she can be persuaded to stay on into the next Parliament.
Otherwise, Sir George Young seems eminently qualified.
Edward Bell
Posted by carole ford, 12:29, Fri 19 June 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Heartily agree with point made by Edward Bell
I hadn't considered Anne Widdecombe until Mr Southern pointed out that she might be hostile to gay adoption; she thereby goes to the top of my list - provided she can be persuaded to stay on into the next Parliament.
Otherwise, Sir George Young seems eminently qualified.
Posted by Ray Ellis, 21:38, Fri 19 June 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
I also wholeheartedly agree with Edward Bell and Carole Ford. Anne Widdecombe has always struck me as an immense lady of principle and integrity.
The fact of her being an interim Speaker would, in my mind, be of benefit at this time. As such I believe she would be able to bring stability and an unbiaised viewpoint on the current issues affecting the House. Her judgement would not be clouded by how things might affect her future career. An interim Speaker would give the next full-term candidates longer to formulate the ideas and principles on which they would Manage, and give Members longer to ponder their relative merits.
Then there was the 30 second presentation on TV a couple of evenings ago. I felt Anne Widdecombe was the only coherent and confidence inspiring candidate.
So it remains Anne Widdecombe for me! Can she be persuaded to stay on?!
Posted by Victor Southern, 08:40, Sat 20 June 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
You would not be voting for Anne Widdecombe as your representative MP but for her as Chair of Parliament.
I am opposed to gay adoption too but he Speaker should be non-partisan.
You might reflect that it is precisely the unashamed partisanship of Michael Martin that has been the cause of many of Parliament's problems.