House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin to stand down
May 19 2009 by Jonathan Walker
In the Commons yesterday Mr Martin sought to head off the growing storm by saying that he was “profoundly sorry” for his part in the way the expenses issue had been handled.
However he was met by an unprecedented series of challenges from MPs calling on him to stand aside or face a no-confidence vote.
Despite his apparent determination to carry on, the verdict of many MPs in the Chamber was that his authority had been irreparably damaged.
Mr Carswell said it gave him no pleasure to have played a part in bringing Mr Martin down, but said the House of Commons needed a new Speaker to help guide it out of the current crisis.
The Harwich and Clacton MP said: “I have acted not as his enemy and least of all as an opposition MP. I have acted as somebody who cares passionately for the parliamentary system.
“I believe we have found ourselves in a moral ditch and we need reform and change to get out of that ditch and restore dignity to politics.
“It gives me no pleasure to have done this at all, but it was necessary to do it. We need a new Speaker who understands that ‘sovereignty of Parliament’ is shorthand for ‘sovereignty of the people’.
“The reason why I think we need Michael Martin to step down is because he not only presided over this system, he actively sought to prevent reform.”
Labour MP Paul Flynn, a signatory of the no-confidence motion, said Mr Martin had needed “this very sharp lesson from Parliament” to persuade him that he had to go.
“He just wasn’t getting it, even up until yesterday,” Mr Flynn said.
“He could have gone with a great deal more dignity last week if he had got the message. I’m afraid he has brought this on himself.
“Parliament has to reform itself and he was the wrong person to lead it.”
Mr Flynn said he favoured Conservative MP John Bercow as Mr Martin’s replacement.
Was the speaker right to resign? How can politicians regain a good reputation? Click log-in or register below to leave your comments
