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11/06/2009
Widdecombe's 'Hat In The Ring' For Speaker Job
Several high profile political name have announced their intentions to run for Commons speaker.
Among them Tory MP Anne Widdecombe, who has pledged to "clean up the place".
The 61-year-old will have to fend-off former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett and Sir Patrick Cormack in her bid to replace out-going speaker Micheal Martin, who will stand down later this month.
Others who have expressed an interest in the post include Labour's Parmjit Dhanda, who, if successful, would become the Commons' first Asian speaker.
Mr Dhanda's party colleague Frank Field has also announced his candidacy, as has the Liberal Democrat Sir Alan Beith.
In addition to Ms Widdecombe, other Conservatives throwing their hats in to the ring include Sir Michael Lord, Sir George Young, Sir Alan Haselhurst, John Bercow and Richard Shepherd.
Ms Widdecombe, who represents Maidstone and The Weald, has already made public her intentions to retire from politics at the next general election.
Meaning any term she could possibly serve would be short, although the MP is confident it would be no less than a year.
She said: "Had there been the slightest possibility of an Autumn election it would have been a nonsense to stand because it would have only been for a few months.
"But I think if I were to have the best part of a year and if that was what colleagues wanted me to do then I would be able to be effective."
Describing the jobs as an "enormous challenge", Ms Widdecombe said: "We do have to get the reputation of parliament restored in time for the next election. It's not something which can be postponed until afterwards.''
(PR/JM)
Among them Tory MP Anne Widdecombe, who has pledged to "clean up the place".
The 61-year-old will have to fend-off former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett and Sir Patrick Cormack in her bid to replace out-going speaker Micheal Martin, who will stand down later this month.
Others who have expressed an interest in the post include Labour's Parmjit Dhanda, who, if successful, would become the Commons' first Asian speaker.
Mr Dhanda's party colleague Frank Field has also announced his candidacy, as has the Liberal Democrat Sir Alan Beith.
In addition to Ms Widdecombe, other Conservatives throwing their hats in to the ring include Sir Michael Lord, Sir George Young, Sir Alan Haselhurst, John Bercow and Richard Shepherd.
Ms Widdecombe, who represents Maidstone and The Weald, has already made public her intentions to retire from politics at the next general election.
Meaning any term she could possibly serve would be short, although the MP is confident it would be no less than a year.
She said: "Had there been the slightest possibility of an Autumn election it would have been a nonsense to stand because it would have only been for a few months.
"But I think if I were to have the best part of a year and if that was what colleagues wanted me to do then I would be able to be effective."
Describing the jobs as an "enormous challenge", Ms Widdecombe said: "We do have to get the reputation of parliament restored in time for the next election. It's not something which can be postponed until afterwards.''
(PR/JM)
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Ten MPs contesting the office of Commons Speaker have debated their personal merits for the first time today. Earlier Labour's Frank Field dropped out of the running, leaving the eight men and two women to battle it out. An election 'husting' was organised this afternoon by political research charity, the Hansard Society.
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Ten MPs contesting the office of Commons Speaker have debated their personal merits for the first time today. Earlier Labour's Frank Field dropped out of the running, leaving the eight men and two women to battle it out. An election 'husting' was organised this afternoon by political research charity, the Hansard Society.
22 June 2009
Alleged Plots Mar Speaker Election
MPs are currently voting to elect a new Commons Speaker, amid allegations of plots by party whips. It is believed anti-reformists are trying to shoo-in former Labour minister Margaret Beckett. Tories are said to be backing the plot in a bid to push party colleague John Bercow out of the running in the early stages of elimination.
Alleged Plots Mar Speaker Election
MPs are currently voting to elect a new Commons Speaker, amid allegations of plots by party whips. It is believed anti-reformists are trying to shoo-in former Labour minister Margaret Beckett. Tories are said to be backing the plot in a bid to push party colleague John Bercow out of the running in the early stages of elimination.
31 August 2005
Clarke hits leadership campaign trail
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13 February 2007
Long-standing Conservative MP fails to be reselected
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Long-standing Conservative MP fails to be reselected
Long-serving Conservative MP Sir Patrick Cormack has not been reselected to stand as a parliamentary candidate in the next general election, it has been revealed. Sir Patrick, 67, failed to be reselected by his constituency party in South Staffordshire.
02 July 2009
Bercow Urges Vote For Deputies
Deputy speakers should be elected by MPs rather than party whips, the new commons speaker John Bercow has told parliament. Following his own appointment by secret ballot, Mr Bercow said his three deputies should also be elected by members of the House, with at least one selected from each side of the chamber.
Bercow Urges Vote For Deputies
Deputy speakers should be elected by MPs rather than party whips, the new commons speaker John Bercow has told parliament. Following his own appointment by secret ballot, Mr Bercow said his three deputies should also be elected by members of the House, with at least one selected from each side of the chamber.
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