New Speaker in House of Commons

[RichardCranium]

I am sure that tradition had it that the position of Speaker was not contested by the party of the exiting Speaker. Am I right or did I dream this. If I am right what happened to that tradition?

Perhaps the same way as the tradition of Policemen having to wear id, having an upper house that could curb the Commons from knee-jerk legislation, the right to trial by jury, habeus corpus, et cetera.

[BoredBloke]

True indeed !! She is the outstanding candidate with the general population though because she is straight with the people, a committed Christian, and greatly respected for her honesty and character.

If Beckett gets the role it is going to turn a lot of people off Parliament until the next election, when she loses her seat for her refusal to repay her thousands of pounds of gardening costs that she charged to us.

My MP bought a new freezer on his expenses. I've asked him, as I partilly funded the purchase if I can leave a bag of peas in it.

[Cyberman]

My MP bought a new freezer on his expenses. I've asked him, as I partilly funded the purchase if I can leave a bag of peas in it.

I wrote to my MP, Andrew Mackay to ask if I could use his second home that I was paying for, but then of course I found out that he didn't have a second home !!!

[Doggy Styles]

I am sure that tradition had it that the position of Speaker was not contested by the party of the exiting Speaker. Am I right or did I dream this. If I am right what happened to that tradition?

Tradition had it that the position of Speaker was alternated between the two main parties. Labour stopped that when they railroaded Michael Martin (Lab) through in place of Betty Boothroyd (Lab).

Also, the Speaker's constituency seat is uncontested at a general election, and after the general election the Speaker is re-elected unopposed by MPs in the Commons.

I think I've got that lot right.

[bogeyman]

I am sure that tradition had it that the position of Speaker was not contested by the party of the exiting Speaker. Am I right or did I dream this. If I am right what happened to that tradition?

I don't think there was ever such a tradition. If anything, more speakers have been from the party in power than not, until recent years.

'Old' Labour actually provided some excellent speakers that served under both Labour and Tory governments. i.e. George Thomas and Betty Boothroyd. They set their party allegiances aside and did a good job.

As it appears that Labour are whipping for Beckett (so typical) you can pretty much be assured of the result.

If Beckett is elected as speaker, it will be a sound indication that Parliament has not yet tired of pissing in the face of the electorate

[bogeyman]

Tradition had it that the position of Speaker was alternated between the two main parties. Labour stopped that when they railroaded Michael Martin (Lab) through in place of Betty Boothroyd (Lab).

Also, the Speaker's constituency seat is uncontested at a general election, and after the general election the Speaker is re-elected unopposed by MPs in the Commons.

I think I've got that lot right.

I believe that's a sort of long-standing informal agreement between the main parties but I don't think there's anything constitutionally to enforce it.

I think it's bad as it disenfranchises the speakers constituents.

Also, nothing could prevent an independent from standing in the speakers constituency.

[PM-Junkie]

I believe that's a sort of long-standing informal agreement between the main parties but I don't think there's anything constitutionally to enforce it.

I think it's bad as it disenfranchises the speakers constituents.

Also, nothing could prevent an independent from standing in the speakers constituency.

Fair point, but traditionally that has been taken into account so that the Speaker is a longstanding member of parliament with a large majority, so their constituency is unlikely to vote them out anyway. But this mob have been ignoring the better traditions and reinforcing the stupid ones for the last 10 years, so expect to see horse-face in the chair.

[The Lone Gunman]

I reckon if it is another NLite the Tories should front a candidate in whoevers seat it is. One break with tradition deserves another.

[PM-Junkie]

I reckon if it is another NLite the Tories should front a candidate in whoevers seat it is. One break with tradition deserves another.

The tories are just as bad....they wanted Frank Field before he announced he wouldn't stand last week largely because it would upset labour. More stupid playground games. None of these people are fit to govern - we should boot the whole lot out and start again.

[bogeyman]

Fair point, but traditionally that has been taken into account so that the Speaker is a longstanding member of parliament with a large majority, so their constituency is unlikely to vote them out anyway. But this mob have been ignoring the better traditions and reinforcing the stupid ones for the last 10 years, so expect to see horse-face in the chair.

Trough

Correct though. Parliamentary traditions mean nothing to NL if they don't fit in with the master plan.