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While the crisis over MPs' expenses is claiming an increasing number of parliamentarians, the focus is now shifting to the embattled Speaker, Michael Martin.
Today's new revelations are particularly damaging to Mr Martin: it appears that he gave secret permission for some MPs to over-claim for mortgage interest payments, such as £15,000 for Labour MP Ben Chapman to cover interest on part of a second-home loan that had already been paid off. There are other fresh revelations about the laxity of the Commons Fees Office, too, for which the Speaker is ultimately responsible: thousands of pounds were paid out for furniture for MPs' second homes even when the items were delivered to their main homes. One Labour MP has called for an inquiry into the failure of senior management to stop abuses. Yet the Speaker's reaction to all of the allegations has been to rebuke those who have challenged him.
The result is a growing number of MPs calling for him to go, most prominently the Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg. In addition, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Paul Stephenson, tells this paper today that he may go over the Speaker's head to gather evidence for potential prosecutions of MPs. Mr Martin gives a statement to the House today but it seems unlikely that the pugnacious Glaswegian will stand down voluntarily, even if he makes some apology. He appears to be set on continuing until the next general election.
That would be deeply damaging for Parliament at a time when its credibility has already suffered severe damage. Almost everyone agrees that we urgently need root-and-branch reform of the expenses system. For Mr Martin to oversee that process would risk destroying the credibility of any reforms. Over the years, he has proved consistently obstructive to improved transparency and agreed to publish details of expenses only when forced to in court. If he will not resign, MPs can pass a vote of no confidence in Mr Martin: 15 have already signed such a motion. That would make him the first Speaker in more than 300 years to be forced from office — but MPs now have little realistic alternative.
We need a new Tube
Improvements to the Underground planned for the years 2010 to 2017 could be at risk, according to contractor Tube Lines. That is an alarming prospect for a travelling public approaching another summer without air-conditioning. Tube Lines is still operating two years after its Public Private Partnership counterpart Metronet was taken over by Transport for London. However, Tube Lines' performance has been far from faultless, and the company is now at a critical stage in negotiations with TfL over the second phase of the 30-year PPP contract.
London Underground wants the work done for £4.1 billion while Tube Lines says it will cost £7.2 billion. Wherever the truth lies, the Tube desperately needs its upgrade. London remains the engine of the national economy, exporting tax revenues to the rest of the country in bad times and good. If its infrastructure cannot get its workforce to their offices reliably, the whole of Britain suffers. For that we need a properly functioning Tube.
Tube Lines faces the threat of takeover by TfL if no agreement is reached, triggering debt repayments that would impose a new financial burden on the capital. Much depends on the company's ability to deliver the new Jubilee line signalling system by the end of the year. However the negotiations play out, the parties involved and ultimately the Treasury must recognise that delaying improvements to the Tube is not an option.
Eye's right
The London Eye is to have a makeover. Now so established on the capital's skyline that views of the South Bank from before 2000 seem to be missing something, the Eye has given millions of Londoners as well as tourists a new perspective on the city. Improved air-conditioning and a “super pod” to entertain gadget lovers will add to its appeal. Onwards and upwards.
Reader views (12)
The last person with honest intent to enter parliament was Guido Fawkes !
- Wills, soton, 19/05/2009 06:52
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Laughing stock of the world?
Only cause MP's are bought so cheaply!
- William, Sussex UK, 19/05/2009 00:45
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If Micael Martin goes BEFORE an election the with Labour having a Majority they have a chance of putting in place a new speaker who may not be so sub-servient to a tory government!
Had it not been for health problems I would nominate Dennis Skinner!!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex, 18/05/2009 21:14
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A band of thieves, covering for each overseen by an un-elected Prime Minister
Disolve Parliment and let the people have their say through an election.
- Hamish Mickle, Lancaster, 18/05/2009 21:08
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Michael Martin also wants to stay until the general election so that his son can "inherit" his parliamentary seat.
Nepotism and feudalism - sums New Labour up - .
- Wat Tyler, Midlands, England, 18/05/2009 17:17
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POSITION AND PRIVILEGE FOR POUNDS. WE ARE THE LAUGHINGSTOCK OF THE WORLD.
- A.Taxpayer, London, 18/05/2009 16:38
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As Satnam points out, isn't Greedy boy Martin trying to hang on for his pay off? If the MPs think that Martin going will make us forget this expenses scandal and move on they can think again.
- Goggs, London, 18/05/2009 12:37
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Without any doubt the Speaker should go.
But his removal should not detract from the need for the other morally vacant, exploitative MPs on the 'list' to go too; to court, like any other 'normal' person committing such fraud. How the hell do they come to be so different!?
- Phil, London, 18/05/2009 11:37
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The speaker will hang on until the election, he's not bothered about democracy when he's got £100,000 payoff to come.
- Satnam Singh, corby, 18/05/2009 11:34
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Of course the speaker should go. Why is the question still being asked? Each and everyone of these politicians are dishonest.Why should they be allowed the priviledge of running our Country if they are untrustworthy? They should be sacked regardless of which party they belong to.
Extraordinary behaviour calls for extraordinary measures.
These people may think they are above the law but should be answerable to their fraudulant practices the same as the rest of us would be.
- Judith Tye, Lyng ,Norfolk, 18/05/2009 11:12
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He is purely a Scapegoat for a bunch of MPs that need someone to blame so they can diminish all sense of personal responsibility. Poor bloke, but that's politics for you!
- Martin, Devon, 18/05/2009 10:55
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He must go, of course - no doubt about that...! BUT BEWARE...!! - NO MP - or MP's apologist...! - should be allowed to pretend (as they will...!!) that his going would make him a "scapegoat" for all the recent exposures...!!
THEY WISH...!!!
Martin is only one of a very large number of Right-Dishonourable Parliamentarians who MUST be made to pay (either...!) with their job or their liberty...!! Wholly decided on a case-by-case basis and depending on the degree of fraud...!!!
- Joanna Jay, Walton on Thames, 18/05/2009 10:28
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