Rob Wilson's Westminster Diary, June 25, 2009

Rob Wilson MP • Published 25 Jun 2009 10:00 0 Comments

SPEEEa…..KERRR is the familiar shout that goes up every day at Westminster and announces the Speaker"s procession from his chambers to the floor of the House of Commons.

It"s a ceremonial occasion visitors to the House rather like, with Mr Speaker and his staff in traditional dress (although Betty Boothroyd did away with the wig).

On Monday, we had no Speaker because Michael Martin had resigned. The beginning of the House"s business seemed somehow less significant, without the history and the procession.

All the same, it was still a historic day, as the election of a new Speaker should be. Anyone who knows and understands their history will be well aware of the important role the Speaker has played in history.

In the reign of Charles I, it was Speaker Lenthall who asserted the rights and privileges of the Commons when the King tried to arrest five members.

The five had fled, but the King questioned the Speaker who replied: 'May it please your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see, nor tongue to speak in this place, but as this House is pleased to direct me, whose servant I am.'

In that sentence is why history and the practices of the House have so much importance today. It encapsulates what a Speaker should be, a protector of the rights of MPs, to do their job on behalf of those that elect them.

The House decided on Monday that John Bercow would now take on this important task. In light of what has happened in recent months, it is a tough role for anybody to undertake, even with a united House of Commons.

Unfortunately, the House was far from united, with voting largely on party lines. Labour voted for John Bercow because they knew the Conservatives (whose turn it was to have the Speakership) didn"t want him.

Most Conservatives didn"t want him because they believe he had planned to defect to Labour on a number of occasions (something he denies).

The Liberals, as usual, were duplicitous and decided to use a block vote to upset both sides.

We have a new Speaker, who has a challenging role in difficult times, it is time to forget what has happened during his election and give him a chance. After all, we all deserve a second chance, don"t we?

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This blog appeared in Reading Chronicle 25 Jun 09

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