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Could British Politics Finally Be Leaving The Dark Ages?; Under Fire Speaker To Step Down
Topic Started: May 19 2009, 05:05 AM (102 Views)
BekkCase
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Lady Jennifer
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Quote:
 
Michael Martin is understood to be preparing to announce he will stand down as Commons Speaker.

The announcement is set to be made in the House of Commons at 1430 BST.

Mr Martin has been criticised over his handling of the furore over MPs' expenses and a motion of no confidence in him has been backed by 23 MPs.

It is understood he plans to step down "soon" rather than immediately. It is the first time in 300 years a Speaker has been effectively forced out.

Tory backbencher Douglas Carswell - who put forward the motion of no confidence in Mr Martin - said the Parliamentary system had fallen into disrepute with many MPs being seen as "parasites" over the expenses scandal.

'Profoundly sorry'

But he told the BBC: "Removing Michael Martin is not the end, it is the beginning - a new Speaker has to be reformist, they need to be progressive."

Mr Martin, the MP for Glasgow North East and Speaker since 2000, is due to meet party leaders later to discuss interim reform proposals for MPs' expenses.

A spokeswoman for the Speaker confirmed Mr Martin was making a statement this afternoon "about himself" and would be going ahead with the meeting at 1630 BST.

Asked whether the Speaker had resigned the prime minister's official spokesman said: "That is a matter for the Speaker."

On Monday Mr Martin said he was "profoundly sorry" for his part in events but did not give any indication - or timescale for any plans to stand down.

He was challenged by a succession of MPs who stood up to ask when they could debate a motion of no confidence in him.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had openly called for him to go - calling him a "dogged defender of the status quo".

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron had said it was a matter for the House of Commons - not the government or official opposition.

'Honourable course'

Mr Carswell's motion of no confidence in Mr Martin was put on the order paper on Tuesday.

But former Tory minister Peter Bottomley had tabled an amendment, saying that the Speaker himself is "best placed to decide when to retire from office".

Mr Bottomley told the BBC it would have set an "undesirable precedent" if the issue had gone to a debate and it was right he should be able to announce his own retirement.

He added that while Mr Martin appeared to be the issue - the main issues around expenses and wider issues affecting Britain would be obscured.

Labour MP David Winnick, who was among those asking Mr Martin to take early retirement on Monday, said: "That is the right and honourable course to take. His resignation will be the first step in the House recovering its reputation."

However fellow Labour MP Austin Mitchell said he had been the victim of a "witch hunt" and he hoped Mr Martin would not stand down until the next general election. "It's not his fault," he told the BBC.
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