Breaking an over 300 year old tradition, MPs have effectively ousted Michael Martin as the Speaker of the House of Commons yesterday. In an extremely brief statement, Martin declared that he would relinquish his post on 21June, with a vote for his successor taking place the following day.
The expenses scandal continues to rock the foundations of the Commons with all party leaders encouraging deselection of rule breaking MPs, ahead of the next general election. All eyes now turn to a likely successor for the role of speaker. Clearly the new speaker will need to advocate a reformist agenda and shake up the current expenses system to restore public’s faith not only in parliament but democracy itself.
Thankfully for the government, column inches look likely to be taken up by this historic resignation for the rest of the week with speculation over who is best suited to lead the house on a reformist agenda. Ladbrokes now have Sir George Young as 5/2 favourite and amusingly they have Gordon Brown on 250/1 – perhaps worth a punt?
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