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Senior MPs pile pressure on Speaker to fall on his sword
Nicholas Cecil15.05.09
Speaker Michael Martin was today under unprecedented pressure from senior parliamentarians to quit.
William Hague, David Cameron's deputy in all but name, led Tory criticism of the Speaker, branding him a “problem”.
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Vince Cable compared him to the disgraced former chairman of the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Even supporters of the Speaker called on him to go before the next general election. Mr Martin is facing two motions of no confidence in him, with one signed by at least 10 MPs due to be tabled early next week. Several ministers want Mr Martin to go, but in a dignified way.
Senior parliamentarians are considering a delegation of “men in grey suits” asking him to stand down.
Conservative MP Robert Key, who sits on the influential chairmen's panel which oversees Commons legislative committees, said: “I have supported Speaker Martin through thick and thin. However, I hope he will recognise that it may be time for him to consider moving on.”
Labour loyalist Barry Sheerman praised Mr Martin as “perfectly good”, but also made clear he did not expect him to seek a third term.
Veteran Tory MP Richard Shepherd is signing the no confidence motion being tabled by Conservative backbencher Douglas Carswell.
Mr Cameron is refusing to offer support for Mr Martin and shadow foreign secretary Mr Hague openly criticised him today: “There certainly is a problem.”
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has authorised his senior MPs to criticise the Speaker and one report suggested that next week he will call on him to depart.
Mr Clegg's deputy Mr Cable compared the Speaker to Sir Tom McKillop, who retired early from crisis-hit bank RBS. It came as a new poll showed Labour's support has slumped to a record low of 22 per cent.
A YouGov/Sun poll showed the Tories on 41 per cent and Lib-Dems on 21 per cent. That would give Mr Cameron a majority of 152.
Reader views (10)
Why dont they just get that idiot Lord who negotiated the chairman of the scottish banks leaving to sort him out? That way the £100,000 that he thinks he is owed will be small change compared to what he actually gets...!
Its time to get the money back for the tax-payers that is being squandered....!
Vote for someone else... Anybody else...! even andy pandy or zebidee could do better...
- Dene Wood, Grays, Essex, That little country by the sea that used to have
HERE HERE GET SHOT OF THE LOT OF THEM, THEY ARE A DISGRACE TO THIS NATION HE SHOULD BE SENT BACK TO SCOTLAND WITH GORDON BROWN FROM COWDENBEITH MUCH LIKE THE GORBALS,THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR SCOTLAND ACCEPT MAKE THEM A LAUGHING STOCK THE POVERTY STILL OOZES OUT THE PLACE EVEN AFTER 10 YEARS IN POWER,BUT THEY HAVE ALL LINED THEIR POCKETS LUXURY PENSIONS IT IS ALL SO SAD,
- Jim Fennessey, london
When he goes he will become a "noble Lord" and really be able to get his hands in the jam pot.Two Lords suspended for offering to trade influence were "rigourously" punished with only 6 months suspension so he will know it is not a serious offence.
- Peter Doff, paris france
I've just seen a vehicle with a sign in the window calling people to show dissaproval by attending a rally in Trafalgar Square on Tuesday 19 May. A mid week Central London demonstration is an unusual event. I'm sure our Political Masters will attempt to ban it on the basis of some 'anti terrorist threat' or such like. I'm sure the fact that anybody attending is likely to be a decent, hard working tax paying citizen will present Gordon a slight problem in labelling them as radical anarchists. It will be intersting to see how HM Government handles this. I'm sure a few bottoms are starting to twitch amongst our political 'elite' at the extent of the Publics anger.
- Butcher, Canterbury
Brown, 'listen' to the people. Drag the incompetent silly old fool out and resign yourself pronto. No ifs, no buts, no compensations. No rewards for failures, get it.
- K Lee, Cheshunt, UK
If Gorbals Mick does "go in a dignified way" it will be the first signs of any dignity this thug has shown since he took office. He is a shining example of the very worst type of politician, and a disgrace to the House and to the Labour movement.
- .Lezli Taubler, London / UK
I agree with Mike,London. MPs want him to quit in a dignified way. Why? What's dignified about Gorbal's Mick he is way out of his depth and is disgraceful how he addressed MPs in the House as well as his handling of the Dominic Green fiasco. This dishonorable member should be fired and replaced with a non political Speaker
- Strongbow Sullivan, Paris,France
Gorbals Mick should be investigated by the police for misfeasance in public office.
He should be immediately suspended.
Then he should be sacked.
Why should this obnoxious, deceitful apology for a human being be allowed to leave with a MILLION POUND PENSION POT?
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK
The Currs rounding on one of their own...there's alot of them who should not fall but impale themselves on their own swords .....or jump off the large wads of cash they have salted away at the taxpayers expense and commit suicide....hypocrites the lot of them.
- Rosie, watford
Dont let him quit and walk away with a fat pension - SACK HIM
- Mike, London England
