If I had a vote, I would have voted for the bicycling baronet, Sir George Young. And that was before he made what was widely regarded as the best speech of the ten candidates. I would have voted for Sir George nine years ago as well. Although it was a secret ballot, there seems to be an assumption that most Conservatives shared my opinion. But this evening, John Bercow was elected the new Speaker. Sir George had to be satisfied with the runner-up spot again. I expect commentators to describe this result as a victory for Labour. I do not expect many of tomorrow's newspapers to write approvingly of this result.
If the contest had been held after the next General Election, Sir George Young may well have won. But it wasn't. MPs effectively forced the previous speaker to step down - and we are where we are. Politics has always been laced with irony. Whatever, there is nothing to be done now but to line up behind John Bercow and wish him all the best. But it doesn't change my opinion that the public will have no faith or confidence in our Parliament until they have had their say in a general election.
11 comments:
It was noticeable that the applause following the announcement of the result came principally from Labour benches. This bodes poorly for the future, so it seems that the new speaker must prove himself to the whole house. However, I feel that it would be very very unwise of the Tories to threaten delselection after the next election - if they were to do so it would make a precedent which would almost certainly come back to haunt them.
Bercow must be given a chance and that goes until after the next election.
Provided Bercow is a committed reformer and remains totally impartial there should not be a problem. He appears not to represent the status quo. In any case Elfyn supports him and what Elfyn says in Westminster goes.
Is there really a revanchiste movement on the Conservative benches, ready to unseat Bercow after the next election, as the media are making out?
Probity and transparency look pretty thin and yet attract no comment . . . .
ref http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5364847/MPs-expenses-John-Bercow-claims-maximum-allowance-for-540000-flat.html
. . . not dissimilar to the new local technique of 'Argau-flipping' (VFRW-Jun18) which likewise attracted no comment, even (by omission) endorsement. Such endorsements-by-omissions are unworthy of a prospective parliamentary candidate.
Bonetired - I agree with this.
Alan - Agree with this too - but nothing to do with Elfyn!
Frank - Don't know, but I doubt that there is much appetite for this. Inevitably, there's some disappointment, but I expect it to disappear if Mr Speaker does a decent job.
for Pool Quay - You should not take ommission as endorsement (unless you wish to convey a false impression) - either in relation to the election of John Bercow or the Inspector's conclusion on the Pool Quay issue. In both instances, I report on the 'result' only - at the same time providing a forum for discussion. Because of the significance of the latter as a precedent, I intend to post again when I've had an opportunity to discuss it with people who I have asked to read the report in detail.
If you sliced John Bercow through the middle, the word FLIP would be printed all the way through. Under the thumb of his arch-Labourite wife, he has flipped his political views as many times as he's flipped his properties. John Bercow becoming the speaker, using Labour votes, is the worst appointment since the Emperor Calligula made his horse a consul! Never the less, I wish him good luck.... he's gonna need it.
He certainly seems to have a foot in both camps. He may be trying to step into a boat that is not secured to the bollard in which case..........
Would agree with Frank H Little; there is a feeling that Labour pushed for Bercow to be elected speaker, much to the discussed of the Tories.
We have seen something similar (although not on the same scale) whereby a loose cannon of an opposition councillor was selected to the position of Scrutiny Chair, courtesy of the Labour Councillors in Bridgend.
In addition, I don’t think he’s going to be able to make many changes, and will so end up being the scapegoat.
If MPs were really interested in reform of the House of Commons, then the election of the Speaker would have been by Single Transferable Vote, not the convoluted series of rounds we saw, and not subject to whipping!
The trouble is that there is a fine line between the 'empowered-mindset' and the 'criminal-mindset'. Both think they can walk on water, and that rules apply to others not to themselves.
With regard to Bercow, can we leave you to sort him out when you get to Westminster (Dolgellau tactic recommended).
With regard to Trewern, do you or do you not deplore the building of a 1km (c 10,000 ton) Flood-plain-structure without consultation, calculation or permission. No sitting on the fence please.
For Pool Quay - I'm going to another post on this issue tomorrow night. Its too late now and I'm going to bed.
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