Beckett better than Bercow - but not by much

Rob

The entirety of the commentary from the right wing press has proved that the media isn't interested in changing, either.

Not once have I read a discussion of the actual *ideas* that Bercow is putting forward. All I've seen is character assassination from the Telegraph, Quentin Letts' obnoixous essay in today's Mail and now this.

How about some discussion of what the candidates are actually proposing for the Speaker, and their pros and cons, rather than poor attempts at disguising the fact that you don't like Bercow very much because he's not a foaming at the mouth tribalist and occasionally thinks that people on the other side of the Commons might have something useful to say?

Jaz Hayre

Evidently you didn't watch Question Time when Beckett was on a few weeks ago. It would be a disgrace is she is the new speaker.

Verity

I thought it was hideous enough when this moronic small-town councillor got made into Foreign Secretary, but Speaker of the House?

We need an interim Speaker until all this shakes down. Ann Widdecombe for caretaker Speaker. She has gravitas and is articulate and intelligent. That puts her three points ahead of Beckett.

(BTW, doesn't Becket have her elderly husband on the taxpayer payroll as her "assistant" or something? Doesn't the old boy accompany her at taxpayer expense on all her foreign trips?)

What does Cameron, he of the bold vision that he is keeping secret, have to say about this? Anything? Or is he still keeping his powder dry?

The Tories must press for an interim Speaker, and that person must have the respect of the whole House, or our infrastructure will endure another bashing. If not Ms Widdecombe, would Frank Field at least accept the job as caretaker Speaker, a very honourable and essential post, until things have shaken down and semblance of normality restored?

That Margaret Beckett was ever over-promoted into the Cabinet, never mind into one of the great offices of state, and is now being bruited about for the position of Speaker beggars belief.

Mind you, Caligua made his horse a senator, so there's a precedent.

David Ossitt

Is it not; an utter disgrace, that a better, more acceptable candidate has not emerged.

It does not bode well for the integrity of parliament; if the front runner is that harridan Margaret Beckett and the second favourite, is the man of little principle and even less honour John Bercow.

lovett

Shouted down on Question Time, just what the people want somebody they respect!!

Colin

Beckett would be a disaster. She is severely tainted by her close involvement with the regime. In addition, she could turn out to be even more partisan than Martin.

She's not the answer by a long shot and now is not the time for a compromise.

Ray

Ann Widdecombe - she's fiery, fearless and independent-minded, and has never been afraid to criticise her own Conservative colleagues when they have behaved like pillocks.

jaydeeaitch

The Speaker is supposed to be impartial.

All previous Labour speakers (in my lifetime) have adhered to this principle.

Michael Martin did not.

Would Beckett? I doubt it very much. Also, she is incredibly lightweight. A very poor choice IMHO so probably a shoo-in.

Bentos

Of course, the other point to bear in mind is that, whoever is appointed Speaker from the current, "tarnished" Parliament (Widdecombe aside, as she intends to stand down), they will be re-elected, come the General Election, unopposed, as is the convention. No wonder Beckett is a candidate; without having the protection of the Speakership, she would very likely, not least after the "Question Time" skewering, lose her seat.

hfc

Touch & Go for her at the next GE:

LAST ELECTION IN DERBY SOUTH
Labour 45.4%
Liberal Democrat 32.3%
Conservative 18.9%
IN DETAIL
Name Party Votes %
Margaret Beckett Labour 19,683 45.4
Lucy Care Liberal Democrat 14,026 32.3
David Brackenbury Conservative 8,211 18.9
David Black UK Independence Party 845 1.9
Frank Leeming Veritas 608 1.4
Majority 5,657
Turnout 61.6%

Chuck Unsworth

Beckett The Incompetent? With her husband, Beckett The Incontinent?

Haven't we had enough trouble with Speakers' Spouses?

Tiberius

"We need an interim Speaker until all this shakes down. Ann Widdecombe for caretaker Speaker. She has gravitas and is articulate and intelligent. That puts her three points ahead of Beckett".

Of course it does, Verity, which is why the Labour hordes won't let it happen. Can you imagine Brown letting Ann in? She'd remind him of his constitutional duty to answer the questions at PMQs, and that's the last thing he's going to put up with.

MikeF

Come on Spectator stop prevaricating. What is needed is a bold and lou.d campaign for Anne Widdecombe

Judy

Both Bercow and Beckett have poor track records on expenses. Bercow has topped the list of Additional Allowances claimants for highest claim levels. He even has the chutzpah to include a point on his manifesto about how MPs need to be paid adequately where they need second homes.

Beckett is famous for her claims for fancy plants and conservatory stuff. Both of them should be in disgrace. It's deeply depressing that MPs should be thinking of voting for such troughers.

If either is elected, the public will have been given a very clear message about what their MPs think about their concerns. The voters will not forget.

At least Anne Widdecombe has a clean expenses record.

Michael Booth

Our Lady of the Caravans? They cannot be serious! Her whole demeanour on 'Question Time'showed contempt for the audience and, by extension, the British people who 'dared' challenge her over expenses. No, and again no. There HAS to be somebody better than this

Griph

I agree with MikeF's call to action. By the way -- in Iran they are doing all to get rid of their president. While here, which is supposed to be NOT a repressive and repressed society, we cannot rid ourselves of G Brown and seem impotent to stop the likes of the embarrassingly awful, incompetent, partisan, facially challenged (sorry, that is silly, but true) Beckett.

David Ossitt

Rob.

"you don't like Bercow very much because he's not a foaming at the mouth tribalist"

Rob you are wrong; we do not like Bercow because he is a man of little principle and a foaming at the mouth nutter.

Edward

By the sound of it, seems like the vacancy will be filled by the least worst candidate. Exactly what was required to restore confidence in Parliament.
Something to do with paucity of talent ?

It could be worse.
Capello could play Blind Pew up front with Long John Silver against Croatia. Then the shite might stand a chance of hitting the fan.

Vulture

God! What a choice. No point in mounting campaigns for no-hopers like Widders ( and her voice should rule her out anyway). MPs will vote according to their own priorities - and sod the public. I agree with James - vote Beckett to keep out the odious little creep Bercow; hope she is defeated at the GE ( an Independent should challenge the ridiculous tradition that no-one stands against the Speaker) and if she isn't - eject her instantly for someone better.

David Ossitt

I have changed my mind; let it be Beckett, then at the next election when (by tradition) the other major parties do not stand against her, see if one of the smaller paties can unseat the lady.

David

Did it not go something like: "What you people fail to understand..." As Wimbledon nears a now charming previously obnoxious American's catchphrase comes to mind.

Chris lancashire

What a choice, it is sad that Parliament cannot throw up one quality candidate that can command respect from all quarters. I wouldn't employ any of the current candidates.

Liz Brown

Just as we start to think that it cannot get any worse, it does
The great caravanner is among the worst re expenses.....she is loathed by all.
bercow is the worst sort of brown noser
We need someone of stature - Sir George Young or indeed Anne Widdicombe
BUT are the sleaze bags in the Ho C listening to the general public? It seems not, so business as usual

Jeff

If wish someone would do a poll of her constituency Derby South. Since the expenses reports there have been reports of a large number of her constituents leaving labour in Derby South. I bet a poll would show her losing the seat in an election. She would have no chance of keeping her seat in an election with the majority she has today. There should be an interim speaker but that would make too much sense so that won't happen. To put up Beckett who had problems with her own expenses and is in terrible shape with her constituents is not good form. Beckett knows that by being speaker the major parties don't run against her. What about the tradition of one party only having two speakers in a row. But Labour had to want to pick a tory that was not liked by his own party.

David Parker

Whoever is eventually selected as Speaker it is quite clear that this will not be upon the basis of the best person for the job, but as a grudging compromise between partisan factions, with not the slightest concern for the best interests of Parliament and the country.

Our arrogant and self serving MPs have totally failed to appreciate the depth of public contempt and anger now felt towards the whole political class.

Certainly, we need a major reform of our Parliamentary system, but the present members of the House of Commons have neither the integrity or the intelligence to be entusted with this task.

Hopefully, there may be some massive and unexpected changes at the G.E.

David Lindsay

She should be in the Cabinet, but this will do nicely. She was certainly a Labour Euro Safeguards Campaign member when I was, and I doubt that she has ever left it, including when she was Foreign Secretary.

Richard Shepherd is too important on the backbenches, not least after today's horrific judicial fiat abolishing trial by jury.

Edward

David 12:26pm.

May I say that it is not a matter of hope.
It is a matter of necessity.

Verity

I'm not a Constitutionalist and don't know whether it ever happens that the Speaker has to cast a deciding vote on an issue, but we should be aware in advance that Margaret Beckett would always vote "neigh".

Paul M

Beckett?!?! Has anyone forgotten what a disaster she has proved in every post of responsability she ever was handed? Her imperious comandeering of hugely expensive cars and police escort long after it was neccessary? Her general toadying awfulness? Are we to imagine this is the best we can do for a Speaker? Lord help the UK if this is the case.

Holly

Vileness personified.