Michael Martin was a rotten speaker, pushed into the job by New Labour because he is the loyalist’s loyalist, having never shown any evidence that he can think. He was never qualified for the job in any way.
But the sight of the troughing toffs ganging up to make a ritual sacrifice of a pleb in the hope that the news agenda will then “move on”, is deeply unedifying.
If this were sufficient of a constitutional crisis for the extreme measure of sacking a Speaker, it is certainly sufficient for the resignation as MPs of the worst individual troughers.
A general election will be best. But unless there are at the very least several by-elections, the MPs who pressured Martin to go will be revealed as simple hypocrites and scapegoat-tetherers.
When rodents feel stress, they often eat their young.
Please explain to us in what sense Gordon Prentice, David Winnick and Norman Baker are toffs.
Agree with your sentiments, but you have gone for the cheap headline, again.
It is MPs of all social classes that are at fault and that should be expunged from Parliament.
You also risk over-using ‘hypocrite’, unless those that signed the EDMs are among the main offenders.
Whoo-hoo! The corrupt old bastard Michael Martin is finally winkled out. No more taxi-tours of London for his wife, funded by the generous taxpayer, and the most swanky hotels will have to do without his patronage.
Private Eye fills up many column inches with what this grace-and-favours queen has got up to since the last edition. Guess they’ll have to find someone else to write about now.
Craig
“But the sight of the troughing toffs ganging up to make a ritual sacrifice of a pleb in the hope that the news agenda will then “move on”, is deeply unedifying.”
Explain / justify this nasty and inaccurate statement, please.
What the **** is a “toff” other than a cheap jibe? Martin is (was?) a desperately bad Speaker, are people from comfortable backgrounds not allowed to criticise him?
And as “fairperson” says, in what way are people like Norman Baker “toffs”?
“No more taxi-tours of London for his wife, funded by the generous taxpayer, and the most swanky hotels will have to do without his patronage.”
Don’t you believe it. He’ll have been bought out, not sacked. The Lords or some other sinecure – whatever, the gravy will continue to flow.
“having never shown any evidence that he can think”
What a condescending and arrogant remark – and you try and make the case that you were well qualified to be a diplomat?
Craig,
Sorry to be off-topic but I’m not sure if you will have seen, or might otherwise be aware of, this heartening development in France:
http://vineyardsaker.blogspot.com/2009/05/israel-lobby-commits-maje-blunder-in.html
Can I be smug (please) and say I predicted as much yesterday.
What odds?
Lord Martin of Springburn and Maryhill
Other suggestions …
Johan van Rooyen,
Thank you very much for that brilliant link.
we need the same thing over here.
Watch your BP Craig.
The very silly Quentin Letts is suggesting Jack Straw for the the next speaker – front bench experience, sense of humour. I feel sick.
Anyone agree with me that (a) Speakers should be forbidden to be members of any political party, and (b) Martin Bell would make a good speaker?
Abe
As you have to be an MP this is a non-runner. Legislation would be needed and we need a new Speaker immediately, if not sooner.
The idea of a Member who is retiring as the next election as an “interim” Speaker (eg but not necessarily Ann Widdecombe, already being touted) has some superficial attraction.
The new House (and GOK whether this will include any / many independent MPS) would then elect a Speaker from among their number, and would clarify the role further.
This sounds like the best way forward to me, but needs some careful thought about pros and cons.
Next question: is Gordon Brown going to hang on until the last possible date before a General Election? Seems to be the way things are going.
Hi I was googling to see why certain info about Politicians had been removed (criticism of them supported by evidence) and somehow it got me to you – I read your profile and applaud your willingness to speak out – integrity costs so much these days!
http://www.josieg6.wordpress.com
I have received BS letter from FCO who will not investigate how I was treated in US any further. Sheer cowardice and payroll dictates their actions….
Stick to your guns and speak your mind. It is our only freedom.
Hi I was googling to see why certain info about Politicians had been removed (criticism of them supported by evidence) and somehow it got me to you – I read your profile and applaud your willingness to speak out – integrity costs so much these days!
http://www.josieg6.wordpress.com
I have received BS letter from FCO who will not investigate how I was treated in US any further. Sheer cowardice and payroll dictates their actions….
Stick to your guns and speak your mind. It is our only freedom.
this may destroy this old man. Doubtless he suffered pressure in the past from all sides to keep the status quo and keep the gravy train coming…..and now because they all want to stay on the payroll, they have forced his resignation. This massive stab in the back will give him a heart attack soon.
It doesnt appear possible to maintain integrity in politics. http://www.josieg6.wordpress.com
How many times did people tell me, ‘dont blame me, I am only doing my job/what I am told to do’ as I was dragged around in cuffs and shackles for months. I wnet to my MP for assistance, but she was busy getting her bathroom done up on this tax money!
Doubtless the speaker will receive some large lump sums – The NEWS of the Speakers Golden Goodbye’ with taxpayers money has yet to come out. that is prob what the delay is about….
I worked for a subsidiary of RBS, witnessed my manager go from 440K pa to 1.6MIL the next yr – after he signed off on docs for large and unsupported mortgages at Fred’s behest….then I was dumped in UK (full story and read it all before you jump to assumptions please http://www.josieg6.wordpress.com) I went to the FSA about this and again got a noncommittal response…so agian that is the TOXIC Debt that we now all pay for…in these us banks with tons of crap mortgages…
Anyhow, since arriving in UK, I saw the news, read all about Fred, and Fred’s pension, next thing you know I had an interview to support Lord Myners! how the plot thickens! So YES you are absolutely on the money, this guy is being publicly ousted but behind closed doors someone is shoving a wad of money at him to sweeten the mess….
No, I dont doubt it, after what I have seen…. http://www.josieg6.wordpress.com
This sacrificial lamb/wolf is not nearly enough.
Of course not everyone who attacked Martin was a toff or ill-motivated. I agree Norman Baker is a good man.
Craig, believe me, you do yourself no favours by using class warfare. Next you’ll be telling us it was because Martin is Catholic.
Is it a Scottish thing?
The point about class prejudice underlying Michael Martin’s downfall is being made by MPs and correspondents alike. It seems to be a talking point in Westminster.
I don’t think that’s responsible for his ousting, though – more likely his lack of competence or authority, accelerated by the House’s lust for sacrifice. Martin was out of his depth: he was easily led, he struggled to read aloud, and had to ask for guidance when challenged. He tried to gag the expenses revelations and his attempts to contain the crisis were making it worse. The old goat was asking to be scaped.
The general consensus seems to be that he’s a good man and a reasonable MP (at least when compared to the others), but a poor choice for Speaker.
@ Josie H – Read your blog. Jeezus H!! What have you been through?!! That’s truly shocking!
You have direct experience of the issues Craig often raises on this site: unlawful imprisonment, soft torture techniques, legal weaseling, UK/US compliance, power-profiteering, and the bad bank bonanza. Please stick around.
There is a core mindset running through all of this. Have you discovered Dr Robert Altemeyer’s revelations about the ‘authoritarian’ mentality?
It would be very interesting to see what you make of it. Check out http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/
A prime example is your own useless MP, Maria Eagle, who turned a deaf ear to your appeals. She’s a key target for ousting in the moral cleanup of the Commons if ever there was one. Her voting record is a moral disgrace – http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/maria_eagle/liverpool,_garston
With Michael Martin at the helm, these NuLab authoritarians had free reign. Hopefully his replacement will take a firmer grip. Anne Widdecombe would give’em a shake in the interim (if Frankenstein could spare his bride till the general election).
Nextus, thank you for your support. Somehow, after going to Ms. Eagles office (with the Parish Priest as a witness!) to beg for help, I was then arrested (although my lawyer says I wasnt arrested…?) and the warrant was for my computer, and ‘literature related to america’ – I was told by a law professor that if I asked for help in this situation, I would be treated as a nutcase and marginalised so that no one would believe me. that is what has happened.