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Opposition MPs line up to denounce wounded Speaker
Joe Murphy14 May 2009
Top Conservative and Liberal Democrat frontbenchers today joined unprecedented moves to oust Michael Martin.
David Cameron pointedly refused to endorse the Speaker, while Nick Clegg gave permission to his shadow cabinet to denounce him in public.
Both opposition parties are likely to deprive Mr Martin of their formal support in a confidence vote expected to be held next week. That would leave Gordon Brown and the Labour whips as the Speaker's main champions, a situation that Tories and Liberal Democrats believe would damage the Prime Minister in the eyes of a public sickened by Westminster sleaze.
Asked if Mr Cameron would take part in the confidence vote, his spokesman would only say: “We support the office of Speaker.”
That pointedly failed to help Mr Martin, who is accused of blocking vital reforms to the Commons pay and expenses system that might have reduced the scale of the scandal. It is claimed he stopped attempts by a Labour MP to close a tax loophole by which MPs can avoid paying capital gains tax by flipping the location of their second home.
A straw poll for BBC2's Newsnight found that 48 out of 173 MPs said they had lost confidence in Mr Martin as Speaker — 68 declined to answer.
Mr Clegg's senior lieutenants unleashed an unprecedented assault against a sitting Speaker today.
Health spokesman Norman Lamb, home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne and transport spokesman Norman Baker all openly called on him to stand down.
Mr Lamb said: “The final straw came on Monday when he attacked backbenchers in Parliament over this whole expenses debacle. He lost his authority and his impartiality, which comes on top of his role in seeking to prevent publication of the expenses.”
Reader views (15)
Just get rid of this nasty bit of work.
- Dee Jay, Fleet Hampshire, 14/05/2009 18:45
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Cameron supported the office of the Speaker, it is needed.
He did not support Mr Martin who should have stepped down immediately serious questions arose about his expenses and his handling of the leaks, and the Green raid. He is way out of his depth, morally and intellectually, and should go.
- Hugh, Middx, 14/05/2009 17:22
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This honorable role is steeped in history and we should now respect history in removing Mr Martin: no fewer than seven beheadings - two on the same day! The Speaker is the chief officer and highest authority of the House of Commons and must remain politically impartial at all times. The current Speaker is, by any standards, unfit to hold the office with which he has been honoured, so let’s get on with it!!
- John Davie, Redbourn, Herts, 14/05/2009 15:05
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He has the bearing of a bullying, viscious 1970's shop steward about him; he has brought disgrace to the position of Speaker.
- Jules_London, london, 14/05/2009 14:57
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It is not enough to get rid of the speaker, who will go one way or another anyway. Parliament must be given the power to dismiss corrupt or incompetent Speakers.
- Kate, London, 14/05/2009 14:54
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the whole house should resign as the sleeze evidence grows - they all seem to have their snouts in the trough. The labour peers involved in cash for services should have their titles withdrawn - not just suspended. Penalties for MP@s are far too slack.
- Jeff Harvey, bristol, 14/05/2009 14:10
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We are starting to see the corrupt expenses made by the so called leaders of this country.When will we see the expenses for the M.E.P's and the other burden on us taxpayers the House of Lords.And i may be asking too much but ask i will.When are the police going to step in and prosecute these people or are they above the law or are the leaders of the police corrupt as well?When will these people realise that they are there for the public not to rip us off.
- Graham Cole, Ebbw Vale, Gwent. S.Wales, 14/05/2009 14:07
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The speaker issue is a "smoke screen" being put up by all MP's who are trying desparately to run for cover. Whilst there is no "smoke without fire" the issue is being inflated to try and overshadow the expenses shambles. MP's are still guilty and ought to be treated with the distain they so very obviously deserve.
- Simon Cook, Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, 14/05/2009 14:05
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Michael Martin seems superbly qualified to be speaker of this lamentable parliament{I Use lower case deliberately} He is partial untrustworthy and mediocre. Why the fuss?
I dispair of the destruction of our once noble ideals. What a pity we had no Founding Fathers to provide us with a written constitution.An unwritten code works only if the rulers are incorruptible,this is plainly not the case with the moral degenererates in parliament at present
Robert Stratford on Avon
- Robert Pearce, Warwick, 14/05/2009 14:02
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Get rid of him. His is a large problem. Blame it on class warfare as he will.
- Pt, London, 14/05/2009 13:54
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Get rid of him. His is a large problem. Blame it on class warfare as he will.
- Pt, London, 14/05/2009 13:54
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Mr.Martin is singularly unqualified for his role. He was picked as by Labour to act as an enforcer. He has been completely partisan and acted in the interests of himself and his party the entire time. His own expense excesses sickened people, but because of his role he survived unscathed. Time for him to go.
- Mark, London, 14/05/2009 12:54
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The guy acts like an idiot. Ship him out ASAP and the country will be a better place.
- Ant, Egham, 14/05/2009 12:54
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Please make sure that when he is kicked out of the post that he is NOT given a place in the House of Lords which is the normal route for ex-Speakers. He should not be rewarded for his long list of failures.
- Andy, london, 14/05/2009 12:54
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Michael Martin thinks he can steamroller over every person who crosses his path.
Martin has manifestly exceeded his authority and simultaneously abused his ignorance.
He should now be investigated by the appropriate autholrities for misfeasance in public office.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 14/05/2009 12:54
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