Beckett launches bid to be Speaker

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Mrs Beckett, who was sacked from the Government in Prime Minister Gordon Brown's reshuffle last week, said she wanted to help Parliament face its "very considerable problems".

"I will be sending a letter round to MPs asking for support," she added.

The surprise move by a political heavyweight comes with less than a fortnight to go before the crunch Commons vote to decide Michael Martin's successor.

Mrs Beckett said: "I think at the moment we have got very considerable problems in Parliament. We have got to make changes.

"After the next election, if we have a more finely balanced chamber than we have had in the recent past, it will be a very different ball game. I hope I can help us deal with that."

Asked if controversy over her expenses claims for hanging baskets and pot plants would damage her prospects, the recently-departed housing minister replied: "Only time will tell."

Ex-minister Parmjit Dhanda and Tory Sir Michael Lord also added their names to those vying for the powerful post.

Mrs Beckett was quickly installed as the 4/1 second favourite by bookies behinds left-leaning Conservative backbencher John Bercow. Other front-runners to take the chair include Labour's Frank Field, Tory Sir George Young and Liberal Democrat Sir Alan Beith.

A free vote will be held on June 22 to decide the winner.