The media are reporting Michael Martin intends to step down later today. So Mr Brown has decided not to support him and is happy to make him the sacrificial lamb. But far more needs to be done because so much more damage has been caused by the European Communities Act.
Richard at EU Referendum has an excellent article about the problems within Westminster and states nobody is addressing the real issue - 'wholesale losses in the authority of Parliament.' I agree with him that concerning ourselves with changes to the petty cash rules is missing the point altogether.
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I thought that there was just going to be an announcement later today at wich Martin is expected to announce that he is stepping down, but that it is unlikley to actually be today. I suppose we will just have to wait and see. I agree Martin has been hung out to dry, but he deserved it and he is just the first. This will not be enough to calm the angry tide.
I'm just listening to radio5live and they're now saying a statement is at 2.30 but they've no idea when his resignation will take effect.
Auch Monty my post was up to date at the time of typing :)
Do hope you read the EU Referendum link.
Sorry SR it’s hard to keep up at the moment. I have just had A BNP and a UKIP glossy leaflet through the door. Confidence indeed if they are splashing out like this. The BNP one claims a “new battle for Britain” complete with Spitfire while the UKIP one has a picture of Winston Churchill on the front. Someone ought to tell UKIP that that wont go down well in Dundee he was absolute crap as our MP (not that I remember) apparently he came for one night, election night, and stayed in the Queens Hotel.
Yes that's true Monty. He did stay just one night at the Queens. Dundee Writers Group published a book about the history of the Queens Hotel a couple of years ago and it's mentioned in it.
I received my BNP leaflet last week via the postman. Exactly the same as yours it was.
This clown will do but, only as a start, not as an end to the anger about the whole corrupt bunch of thieving porkers,
Read M Martin's apology and see that instead of personally apologising he places himself within the mea culpa of everybody in the H of C. That is to say whether they have transgressed or not and he has, right up to oxters, everyone has to take the blame. I must try that next time I am caught speeding.
Transcript from Hansard
3.30 pm
Mr. Speaker: I would like to make a statement on Members’ allowances. We all know that it is the tradition of this House that the Speaker speaks to the whole House, but in doing so please allow me to say to the men and women of the United Kingdom that we have let you down very badly indeed. We must all accept blame and, to the extent that I have contributed to the situation, I am profoundly sorry. Now, each and every Member, including myself, must work hard to regain your trust.
As a matter of urgency, and within 48 hours, I am calling the Prime Minister and party leaders, including those of the minority parties, to meet me and the other members of the House of Commons Commission. Also present will be the right hon. Member for Islwyn (Mr. Touhig).
Leaders of all parties have made announcements on what should be done. Some of their proposals are very similar to those put to the House on 3 July last year by the Members Estimate Committee—which I chair—copies of which are lodged in the Vote Office. I want discussion to centre on the additional costs allowance and all those matters that have caused the greatest controversy and most anger with the public, and I include in that the early publication of the additional costs allowance, office costs and travel material.
While we await the work of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, we must search for agreement, so that the Leader of the House can bring forward resolutions to give an opportunity for the House to deal with the immediate situation. In the meantime, I do urge all hon. Members not to submit claims for approval. Last week, I had a most productive meeting with Sir Christopher Kelly, who explained to me his hopes to bring forward reasoned proposals in the autumn. While we await the outcome of his work, it is imperative that we continue to improve our accounts and practice in the interim, and get in place measures that work and are seen to be working. I say again that we all bear a heavy responsibility for the terrible damage to the reputation of this House. We must do everything we possibly can to regain the trust and confidence of the people.
Several hon. Members rose —
Mr. Speaker: I call Mr. Prentice.
Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. A motion of no confidence in you, Sir, will appear on the Order Paper tomorrow. Am I right in thinking that it will be debated tomorrow and voted upon?
Mr. Speaker: This is not a point of order—
Mr. Prentice: Oh yes it is—
Mr. Speaker: Order. Please allow me to answer. These are matters for debate on an appropriate motion.
I wonder who wrote that for him?
He read it out as though he was seeing it for the first time. Maybe I am being too generous and he is just illiterate.
Just looked again at the photo Sub, looksa as though he is being led out for public execution, with Padre following behind.
Hingin is too guid fur them
At last a bit of good news.
However, we must not allow the Government to use him as a sacrificial lamb in a vain attempt to deflect their ineptitude from the public gaze.
As far as I'm concerned, this is only the beginning!
My Jimmy Snotty theory still looks good, Subrosa. I see plod will take the cd leaking no further. Now why is that?
Now that Martin has announced his exit is that the end of it? Is it back to business as usual?
lol Billy, aye it's a photo I haven't seen before. Well chosen by someone.
Exactly GOT, this has to be just the very beginning. Gordon Brown's speaking as if it'll solve all his ills - he wishes.
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