But has too much been blacked out? This morning at 6am copies of all the expense claims from all members of the house went online – for all to see. The website is here. This is the data that has been promised for so long and which has already cost a number of political careers – the latest one being Kitty Ussher, the treasury minister, overnight. MPs have had the opportunity to blank out personal details that they did not…
Will Martin’s legacy be less government control? Today is Michael Martin’s final PMQs as Speaker and on Sunday he will finally step down from the position that he’s held for nearly a decade. His successor will be elected the following day. When Martin looks back over his final tumultuous seven months I wonder whether it was the above moment, captured in the YouTube clip above, that he will most regret. For it was the tone and manner of the way…
How challenging is the voting system for the favourite? Next Tuesday we’ll know who Michael Martin’s replacement is going to be and we’ll be looking forward to the first big occasion for the new office holder at PMQs the following day. After spending a couple hours watching the hustings yesterday this is proving to be an absorbing contest and one where I’ve got too much money committed in bets. The critical element is the voting system and the fact that…
Who came out best from the first hustings? This afternoon’s hustings for the 10 MPs seeking to take over from Michael Martin a week today was both an entertaining event and very instructive for all those interested in the political process. Each of them made good cases and my sense overall is that this could be a lot closer then we thought. My ratings:- Margaret Beckett (Lab) Came over reasonably well, dealt effectively with the issue of her being a…
Is he a Bercow fan or does he have his own plans? The left-leaning Tory MP for Buckingham, John Bercow, continues to be the firm betting favourite to replace Michael Martin in the election a week on Monday and there’s a further write-up of his chances in the Daily Mail. As the report notes: “Labour ministers are plotting to install a Left-wing Tory MP hated by his own leaders as Commons Speaker. Several senior members of the Cabinet have told…
Could this be a consolation for losing her cabinet place? There’s a story just running on the First Post under the banner (Exclusive: Beckett for Speaker) which says “According to The First Post’s sources in the Labour Party, Margaret Beckett is ‘all but’ confirmed as favourite for the Speaker’s chair”. This is the first time her name has been mentioned and she does not even figure on the main betting markets. I’ve just got bets on by phone at 20/1…
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart M – Th 11p / 10c Scamalot thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor Will Bercow and Beith be damaged by today’s revelations? With the MPs expense scandal now being featured on the US satire programme, the Daily Show, the Daily Telegraph’s investigation into MPs expenses starts its third week this morning with reports about the current favourite and second favourite in the next Speaker betting. The man who all the money…
Is the next Speaker market one to keep out of? Late last night the maverick MP for Buckingham, John Bercow, moved into the favourite slot in the next speaker betting – the third such change during the day. No doubt in the month to come other names will emerge and fade and a lot of punters, I believe, are going to be tempted into bets that they will come to regret. Remember that what’s crazy is that under the new…