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| Michael Martin has done no worse than some of his predecessors |
| London, 19.05.2009 |
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| From The TimesMay 19, 2009
Peter Riddell: Political Briefing
Michael Martin is finished as Speaker of the Commons. It is now a question of when, not whether. His remaining authority was irreparably damaged yesterday when MPs from the three main parties told him to his face that he should go.
His departure is widely seen as a necessary step, though only a symbolic first one towards halting the slide in Parliament’s reputation and a shift away from self-regulation.
Yesterday’s events were, for once, genuinely unprecedented. Nothing like it has been seen since 1695 when Sir John Trevor was expelled. Since then, Speakers have been quietly forced out. The late Horace King (later Lord Maybray-King), Speaker from 1965 until 1971, developed a drink problem that impaired his performance and he was quietly persuaded to stand down. But that was before radio and televison, when manoeuvrings could happen behind the scenes.
Traditionally, and most visibly, the Speaker’s main job has been to preside over the Commons. Like many of his predecessors, Mr Martin took time after his election in 2000 to get a feel for the House. But despite recent lapses, and complaints from Tory MPs, Mr Martin has done all right in the chair, and no worse than some predecessors, such as the overrated George Thomas.
But the Commons is now a sizeable organisation with a large budget, not just a debating chamber. This shift has not, however, been reflected in its governance arrangements. These turn on an uneasy, and often tense, master/servant relationship between MPs, and notably the Speaker, and clerks and officials.
Mr Martin has symbolised, and also been a victim, of an inward-looking culture suspicious of outside scrutiny and accountability. Other senior MPs and Commons officials are also to blame for the grotesque laxity of the expenses arrangements and for the slowness of reform, not least by trying to block freedom of information requests. But Mr Martin has been at the top and, until his statement of contrition yesterday, he did not appear to recognise the strength of public anger. He did not rise to the urgency of events.
Mr Martin seemed an apologist for MPs rather than a champion of voters. That is why a growing number of MPs feel that it is time for a new Speaker to symbolise a fresh start. Of course, a change of Speaker will not be sufficient in itself. It needs to be accompanied not only by a clearing out of the most serious wrongdoers among MPs but also by the adoption of a new and much more limited system of allowances.
Above all, control and regulation of the financial affairs of MPs needs to be taken away from Members and entrusted to an independent body, though the Commons would retain a final say on discipline. This is what Gordon Brown and other leaders are considering. But such reforms will not be credible without a change of leadership in the Commons. Mr Martin is facing the same fate as the chairmen and chief executives of banks who are seen to have failed. It is uncannily similar to what happened to Sir Victor Blank at Lloyds.
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