Back to HOMEPAGE You can't make a silk purse out of
a sow's ear,
even although you may dress it up as one.
John Belcrow elected as Speaker
James Irvine
Editor: www.land-care.org.uk
Filed 23 Jun 09
©www.land-care.org.uk
Was it too much to hope that the House of Commons at Westminster might have learned the lesson that you cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, even although you can try by dressing one up as such (1).
On account of his poor performance Speaker Michael Martin, bedecked with impressive robe and fancy tights and buckled shoes to match, was at last persuaded to stand down (2, 3). He had been Speaker since the year 2000, with Labour in power enjoying a substantial majority. He had the expectation of continuing as such for life, or until he chose to retire. But he failed to control the affairs of the House that lead to the scandal of MPs' expenses: the worst scandal to hit Westminster in 100 years (4).
His inability to speak coherently, such as to put a few words together, was obvious. His background - a metal worker and shop steward in the East End of Glasgow - provides no justification for his truly embarrassing performance. There are plenty examples of folk who have made major contributions to society who have come from lowly backgrounds. Their achievements have been based on inherent ability and its diligent application. The trouble with ex-Speaker Martin was that he simply lacked what it takes to do the job. And there was no clear way of getting rid of him. He depended on his loyalty to the discredited old-labour system for the status he achieved (5).
Westminster needs to be radically reformed. So what did the MPs do on Monday 22nd June?
Labour's current substantial majority is unlikely to continue after the next election, which must be held within the next 11 months at the latest. Although Labour deny any such skullduggery, they clearly manipulated the situation whereby a Tory MP, bereft of any major achievement whilst in the House for 12 years, and who is intensely unpopular within the Tory party for his Labour leanings, got the necessary number of votes. Worse, according to tradition, he too has the job for life, and all the trappings and perks that go with it.
Of course the new man proclaimed that he is keen on reform. All the candidates did. But who can you believe? His predecessor is reported as saying the same in his election speech, although some MPs at the time were sufficiently perspective to have expressed doubts as to his ability to do so.
Being so unpopular within his own party, was John Belcrow going to be safe in his seat at the next general election as a Tory candidate? Would he defect to the Labour party? Any such worries are now resolved for him, as it is tradition that no one stands against the Speaker at a general election.
Would time limited tenure of office for the Speaker be one of the much needed reforms at Westminster that he would promote? No fear! He has got himself into a right cosy number, for which he is clearly a misfit. He is likely to be a cause of more turbulence than a promotor of useful reform.
To me the candidate with the most credibility in the present circumstances was Ann Widdicombe. She took the very sensible stance of offering to be an interim Speaker until the next general election. But Gordon Brown and his fellow plotters, as they desperately try to hold on to power, saw that idea off. Clearly the Tories, recognising the Labour plot, tried to counter it as best they could. They supported who they thought would be their best chance, a Tory grandee in the form of Sir George Young. They failed simply because there are currently far more Labour MPs than Tory ones. Anyway, the Tories should be trying to get away from reminders of previous Tory government disasters. That said, Sir George was the most eloquent candidate, with a personal diginity and a profound sense of fair play: pretty good attributes for the job.
The outcome was that a man of limited ability, apart from seeing opportunities for self advancement, has been appointed to this key position for life, or until he is ignominiously ousted - just like his predecessor (6).
One reform that he has instigated with immediate effect is to dispense with tights and to don a more modest, schoolmaster type gown (7).
Among other more profound reforms necessary is the reduction in the number of MPs by a quarter or a third. Why should the UK parliament have over 600 MPs, while the cumbersome EU parliament has only a 100 or so more to look after 27 Member States? What do Westminster MPs do other than milk the expenses cow?
Currently MPs are held in particularly low esteem. The man or woman in charge of the House needs to be a person of high moral integrity and vision. It needs to be someone who has gained cross party confidence. There must be a big question mark over whether Speaker Belcrow is the man for the job.
©www.land-care.org.uk
References
1. Treneman, Ann (2009), Robed Neanderthal Michael Martin throws tantrum over MPs' expenses.
Article reproduced from The Times with kind permission
See HOMEPAGE, filed 15 May 09, www.land-care.org.uk Click Here to View
2. Treneman, Ann (200(). A Speaker trapped and helpless in the House of assassins.
Article reproduced from The Times with kind permission
See HOMEPAGE, filed 19 May 09, www.land-care.org.uk Click Here to View
3. Irvine, James (2009). Michael Martin, Speaker at the House of Commons, should certainly go: he should never have been elected.
See HOMEPAGE, filed 19 May 09, www.land-care.org.uk Click Here to View
4. Irvine, James (2009). Speaker Michael Martin remits office: he'll be gone on 21st June 09.
See HOMEPAGE, filed 20 May 09, www.land-care.org.uk Click Here to View
5. Linklater, Magnus (2009). Collapse of the last bastion of old labour. Michael Martin owed his position to loyalty - not to voters, but to a Scottish party machine that all but ignored them.
Article reproduced from The Times with kind permission
See HOMEPAGE, filed 20 May 09, www.land-care.org.uk Click Here to View
6. Treneman, Ann (2009). If John Bercow is the answer, remind me: what was the question?
Article reproduced from The Times with kind permission
See HOMEPAGE, filed 24 Jun 09, www.land-care.org.uk Click Here to View
7. Treneman, Ann (2009). Men's ailments get the new Speaker's revolution off to a ropey start.
Article reproduced from The Times with kind permission
See HOMEPAGE, filed 25 Jun 09, www.land-care.org.uk Click Here to View
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