Historically it has been the Speaker's duty to defend the rights and liberties of MPs against the constant encroachment of the executive, recently embodied by an increasingly assertive prime minister's office with its baronies in the ministerial departments.
The Speaker had every reason and right to question the police and behind them, the Home Office, about their intention to search Damian Green's files and computers. Whatever their reasons for doing so, they should have been required to explain themselves. But there was no questioning, the door was opened and the posse waved through.
This was an unquestionably political move and one in a long series of shadowy episodes involving Michael Martin. Beginning with his election to the Speakership in October 2000 and against hundreds of years of precedent, he was proposed and seconded from one side of the House. What was supposed to be a free vote might as well have been organised by the Labour whips, as it most certainly was, leaving other and better candidates without a chance.
The Speaker's record since has been nothing short of lamentable: He has certainly not been bipartisan; Long serving and devoted staff have been let go for no apparent reason; He has resisted reform; His own expense claims have put him in the headlines for all the wrong reasons: He spent thousands of pounds of public money on legal counsel in the vain, self-serving attempt to prevent the publication of MPs' expenses; He was a leading figure in the removal from office of Elizabeth Filkin, the parliamentary commissioner for standards who made senior MPs uncomfortable by just doing her job.
Martin has not graced his office. He could have made a difference but, alas, he chose to occupy a space.
Today he has an opportunity to announce his departure and he should grab it with both hands. There are plenty of superior candidates available, including Sir George Young and, my personal favourite, Sir Menzies Campbell.
I fear that Martin lacks the class to bow out with whatever small dignity he might be able to muster. The likelihood is he will cling on to his undeserved office and leave it to Glasgow North East to decide. Remeber that Martin is an MP first and Speaker second.
Bastards ... slimy bastards all over the world!
The Speaker had every reason and right to question the police and behind them, the Home Office, about their intention to search Damian Green's files and computers. Whatever their reasons for doing so, they should have been required to explain themselves. But there was no questioning, the door was opened and the posse waved through.
This was an unquestionably political move and one in a long series of shadowy episodes involving Michael Martin. Beginning with his election to the Speakership in October 2000 and against hundreds of years of precedent, he was proposed and seconded from one side of the House. What was supposed to be a free vote might as well have been organised by the Labour whips, as it most certainly was, leaving other and better candidates without a chance.
The Speaker's record since has been nothing short of lamentable: He has certainly not been bipartisan; Long serving and devoted staff have been let go for no apparent reason; He has resisted reform; His own expense claims have put him in the headlines for all the wrong reasons: He spent thousands of pounds of public money on legal counsel in the vain, self-serving attempt to prevent the publication of MPs' expenses; He was a leading figure in the removal from office of Elizabeth Filkin, the parliamentary commissioner for standards who made senior MPs uncomfortable by just doing her job.
Martin has not graced his office. He could have made a difference but, alas, he chose to occupy a space.
Today he has an opportunity to announce his departure and he should grab it with both hands. There are plenty of superior candidates available, including Sir George Young and, my personal favourite, Sir Menzies Campbell.
I fear that Martin lacks the class to bow out with whatever small dignity he might be able to muster. The likelihood is he will cling on to his undeserved office and leave it to Glasgow North East to decide. Remeber that Martin is an MP first and Speaker second.
Bastards ... slimy bastards all over the world!
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