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Speaker Martin to resign!

Laila

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The Commons Speaker Michael Martin is to resign from his post this afternoon, Commons sources said today.

Mr Martin, the veteran Labour MP for Glasgow North East, is believed to have reached his decision after losing the trust of the Prime Minister.

Mr Martin is expected to inform MPs of his decision at the start of Commons business this afternoon. He is expected to leave with immediate effect, rather than trying to stay on in the post until the next election.

The move will avert debate on a no-confidence motion tabled by a Tory backbencher, and follows amazing scenes in the House yesterday when a string of senior MPs rose to challenge Mr Martin's authority and demand his resignation over his handling of the scandal into MPs' expenses.

If Mr Martin had lost that vote, he would have been the first Speaker forced from office since Sir John Trevor was removed in 1695 for taking bribes
.

Speaker Martin 'to resign this afternoon' - Times Online

One down ..... just another 400 odd left.
Such a shame i couldn't see him forced out but i hope the MPs don't think that just because the Speaker is forced out, it'll stop anger.

Bye Martin. Don't let the door hit you on the way out :2wave:
 
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You know, this is one of the things that I admire about British politics. I wish the US had politicians that resigned...
 
You know, this is one of the things that I admire about British politics. I wish the US had politicians that resigned...

Gordon Brown didn't want the resignation - it now forces an election in Michael Martin's Glasgow seat and Labour have done really badly in Scotland since the last general election.

I somehow don't think Martin resigned out of "honorable principle" - he is going because Gordon Brown was getting the blame for not taking action quicker. The opposition parties (particularly Nick Cleggs Liberals) were going to make this one run and run.
 
Once again I prove to be clueless about politics in other countries. Thank you for the clarification.
 
UK right now is like watching what will be happening in the US in the near future.
From speakers to PM/President.

AT the moment the only thing the US doesn't have yet is a scandal of Congress spending taxpayer money on elaborate living..but I'm sure Congress will manage to "change" that.
 
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We do have a congressional scandal involving steering contracts to family members though!
 
We do have a congressional scandal involving steering contracts to family members though!

So do we but i remember when one MP paid thousands for his Son, he got torn apart by the media and lost all his political credibility and was sent to the backbench in effect sending him to the wilderness.
 
UK right now is like watching what will be happening in the US in the near future.
From speakers to PM/President.

AT the moment the only thing the US doesn't have yet is a scandal of Congress spending taxpayer money on elaborate living..but I'm sure Congress will manage to "change" that.

I thought the US speaker represents the party with the majority?
The main difference is that in UK when a speaker goes on the chair, he leaves behind all political ties and become neutral. He is no longer part of the partisan squabble, he [or rather she] should be above that.

It's interesting watching the affair with Pelosi, can you oust her from power too? :p
 
I thought the US speaker represents the party with the majority?
The main difference is that in UK when a speaker goes on the chair, he leaves behind all political ties and become neutral. He is no longer part of the partisan squabble, he [or rather she] should be above that.

It's interesting watching the affair with Pelosi, can you oust her from power too? :p

How practical is this neutrality? Does it actually work that way?

Pelosi is unlikely to be ousted from power I suspect. She acted poorly, but it already seems to be fading into the background. She has not yet broken any laws that any one could successfully prosecute. Unless she opens her mouth and self destructs some more, I don't see her being asked to step down from being speaker.
 
How practical is this neutrality? Does it actually work that way?

Works very well. I watch the BBC Parliament channel every so often and the speaker does not take sides that is for sure. He is basicly a glorified administrator and referee .. oh and the offical contact between the House of Commons and the Queen.
 
UK right now is like watching what will be happening in the US in the near future.
From speakers to PM/President.

AT the moment the only thing the US doesn't have yet is a scandal of Congress spending taxpayer money on elaborate living..but I'm sure Congress will manage to "change" that.

Well, there's a phrase in US politics called adding "pork" which I guess we don't have. Bills that go through can be amended but they still have to go through the committees and then the upper house.

How practical is this neutrality? Does it actually work that way?

Usually yes, the speaker sits as chair of the the multi-party committee that oversees the finances and dealings of the house. It was here that Michael Martin really let himself down as his office represents the integrity of Parliament - and he has over 4-5 years blocked all attempts to show how MPs were using and abusing expenses.
 
Interesting, thanks you two. I don't think that would work here. Politicians cannot seem to get past their ingrained partisanship.
 
Usually yes, the speaker sits as chair of the the multi-party committee that oversees the finances and dealings of the house. It was here that Michael Martin really let himself down as his office represents the integrity of Parliament - and he has over 4-5 years blocked all attempts to show how MPs were using and abusing expenses.

Don't forget to mention he attacked, from the speaker’s chair, two members of the house. Attacking MP's personally meant he surrendered his impartiality and could be attacked back
 
How practical is this neutrality? Does it actually work that way?

Pelosi is unlikely to be ousted from power I suspect. She acted poorly, but it already seems to be fading into the background. She has not yet broken any laws that any one could successfully prosecute. Unless she opens her mouth and self destructs some more, I don't see her being asked to step down from being speaker.

It works very well like they explained above very well, only like 8 Speakers in all of Parliament's history have they been removed or beheaded is a pretty good record considering.
 
It works very well like they explained above very well, only like 8 Speakers in all of Parliament's history have they been removed or beheaded is a pretty good record considering.

Sigh...beheading as a consequence of political misconduct. *Swoon*
 
Sigh...beheading as a consequence of political misconduct. *Swoon*

Makes you want to bring back the old ways very badly but as a result we'd have no politicans left o_O

I bet MP's would toe the line very well :p
 
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Update:

Parliament loses right to run its affairs

Parliament was forced to surrender its ancient right to run its own affairs on a momentous day in which the Speaker, Michael Martin, paid for the scandal over MPs’ expenses with his job.

The Prime Minister announced that the financial affairs of MPs would be taken over by independent regulators. The Commons Fees Office, which approved the expenses claims that have brought the political system into gross disrepute, will be abolished.

Gordon Brown said that Westminster would no longer operate like a gentlemen’s club, making its own rules, and said that the moves would change centuries of history for Parliament.

Parliament loses right to run its affairs as Speaker Michael Martin resigns - Times Online

About damn time but i still want Hazel
 
What does MP stand for, please?
 
I'm not sure this is a good move. Random, non-elected seemingly being set up by the PM doesn't seem to bode well for Parliamentary gov't to me, it seems like even more power flowing from parliament itself to the cabinet and particularly the PM.

I want that panel to include professionals, the panel will be independent - Unable to be fired by the Govt. and it is said that they will have the power to deselect and discipline MPs.

It will ofc, be debated in a few hours time.
 
I want that panel to include professionals, the panel will be independent - Unable to be fired by the Govt. and it is said that they will have the power to deselect and discipline MPs.

It will ofc, be debated in a few hours time.

Deselect MPs... I think not. Only ones that have that power is the people. Discipline sure, but kick them out? hell no.. goes against every democratic principle.
 
Deselect MPs... I think not. Only ones that have that power is the people. Discipline sure, but kick them out? hell no.. goes against every democratic principle.

I hope the panel can kick out MP's. Or refer them to the consituent and call a by election at will. We should have the power to recall our representative and if need be, make them step down.
 
I hope the panel can kick out MP's. Or refer them to the consituent and call a by election at will. We should have the power to recall our representative and if need be, make them step down.
Who is we, did you vote for your current MP and is he/she one of those under scrutiny?
 
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