When will the LibDems follow Carswell’s lead?
Douglas Carswell, the outspoken, media-savvy, maverick Tory MP for Harwich is leading the campaign to remove Michael Martin as Speaker by tabling a motion of no confidence.. Unlike most backbenchers, he is increasingly unlikely to have the words “little known” prefixed to his name when mentioned in the national media. (I described him as such on Radio 5 yesterday, but having looked up his recent mentions in the press, I was wrong to do so)
David Cameron has, rather shame-facedly, said that the Speaker retains his support.
Nick Clegg has said nothing so far that I’ve seen, but surely it’s time for the LibDems to lend their full weight to this move.
Getting the tone and message right is vital, of course. If the public interpret the move as MPs shifting the blame for the present political crisis entirely on to the Speaker’s shoulders, it will backfire badly.
But, surely, no one can believe that Michael Martin can remain as Speaker of the House of Commons if Westminster is serious about cleaning up its act.
Seize the initiave, Nick, and call on Martin to go.
Update from Julian H: as some of you may have seen, Lib Dem EU Parliamentary candidate (for London) Jonathan Fryer has called for Speaker Martin to go. Click here for details on Jonathan’s blog. Meanwhile, Peter Black AM doesn’t sound too impressed, either.
Update: Chris Huhne calls on Speaker to go. Surely, Nick now needs to follow suit?
May 14th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Martin needs to go. Now. Actually he should have sent home years ago. He’s a uselles speaker.
May 14th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Didn’t Clegg make clear his view on the Speaker after his intervention with Kate Hoey and Norman Baker?
May 14th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/12/speaker-michael-martin-mps-expenses-row
Also Norman Baker said as much on Newsnight
Are you lot deaf and blind?
May 14th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Clegg has said Martin ‘badly misjudged’ the whole Kate Hoey incident and said he needs to ‘learn lessons’. To be totally fair Martin has shown both in this and Damian Green affair he is out of his depth and so yes probably should be replaced. However, I find something indecent about this motion which essentially comes down to MP’s wanting to vent their frustration at recent events on somebody who isnt themselves; it’s called deflection or ‘kick the cat’ in psychological parlance.
May 14th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Norman Lamb is also backing the no confidence motion:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8048292.stm
May 14th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Norman Baker is one of the best MPs in Parliament. I was stunned by the Martin’s tirade at him. I saw norman Baker on Newsnight and cheered him on throughout. He has been unrelenting in his probing questions and demands. Full marks to him.
What the “Carswell Call” shows – and its true time and again – is that you have to be clear and bold and FIRST.
I think it would have been tough for Norman Baker to do this having just been savaged – but I agree that Lib Dem Mps – and especially Nick should step up Loud and clear and support this.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:32 am
From what I can gather, Norman Lamb – and now Chris Huhne – have called fro the Speaker to go.
Nick Clegg and Norman Baker may have made criticisms, but have not yet called for Martin to quit – or supported the no confidence motion.
The issue isn’t whether an MP thinks the Speaker has mishandled this matter (particularly his treatment of Kate Hoey and Norman Baker) but whether you’re willing to call for his head.
May 15th, 2009 at 1:25 am
You know Dougie Carswell is a big supporter of direct democracy & supposedly a libertarian
November 9th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
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