Sir Alan to stand for Commons Speakership

By William Green on May 19, 09 03:14 PM

As predicted on this blog, Berwick MP Sir Alan Beith is putting himself forward to become the next Commons Speaker.

Here is what is going on The Journal website:

EXCLUSIVE

BERWICK MP Sir Alan Beith today launched his bid to become Speaker of the Commons - declaring he wanted to lead reform.

The senior Liberal Democrat spoke after current Commons Speaker Michael Martin announced he was quitting after he lost the support of MPs.

Mr Martin said he would stand down on 21 June and the election for the new Speaker held the following day in a secret ballot after his position became untenable over the expenses scandal.

In a statement to The Journal, Sir Alan said: "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."

Comments (5)

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5 Comments

Andy01101946 said:

Sir Alan Beith is a man whose integrity has shone through for 35 years. An excellent choice as the new Speaker.

May 19, 2009 9:08 PM

William Green

said:

Who do you think he may have to face to win the Speaker's Chair?

May 19, 2009 9:52 PM

james said:

Join the facebook group calling for Sir Alan to be Speaker here!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=101576603311

May 20, 2009 7:30 AM

Bentonbag said:

Looking at the list of comments on the front page of the Blog, for one mad moment I thought james said was referring to Sir Alan Sugar.
Now there's someone who could really keep the political elite in order. "Claiming for cleaning yer moat! Yer 'avin a larff arn't you! Wot do you think we print money or wot?"

May 20, 2009 4:38 PM

William Green

said:

How about Sugar for PM?

"You're fired" might be said to rather a long list of MPs....

May 20, 2009 5:29 PM

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