Speaking for change

Michael Martin's whining final speech which appeared to blme everyone else for the predicament he found himself in was a good illustration by itself of the man's inadequacy for leadership. There should be lessons to learn from politicizing the role as MPs did in 2000 but it now appears that they are all back to their old ways. The election of a new speaker hinges, we are told, upon Labour MPs voting en bloc for John Bercow, just to annoy the Conservatives and Conervative MPs voting for Margaret Beckett to stop John Bercow.

Whatever the result it will be unsatisfactory. MPs have obviously learned nothing from the exepnses scandal except that they should steer clear of Question Time.