Commons Speaker

[BertiWooster]

Did I hear correctly that Ann Widdecombe is going to throw her hat in the ring to become the next commons speaker .

God no !!!
That woman irrates me - she reminds me of a former deputy head in my school days .

Whats your opinion ?

[Gromit]

The money is on John Bercow (never heard of him).

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/ benedict-brogan/5498157/John-Bercow-is-the-Spe aker-that-Parliament-is-going-to-get-but-not-t he-one-it-needs.html

I don't like Widdecombe, but I actually think she would be good at the job. She can be stern and serious, but does have a sense of humour. Not sure if she could be as impartial as the job requires though.

[janbee]

Definitely NOT that woman. Always thought that Dr John Reid would be a good choice but as he's in his 70s now, he's probably looking towards retirement.

[BertiWooster]

John Bercow - no i've never heard the name , untill recently .

He doesn't look old enough to be speaker does he - all the previous speakers have been getting on a bit .

He looks like a city type - are we sure he is not a fugitive banker , looking for a job ?

[jno]

former deputy head... that sounds like just what's needed. The job does not involve making you feel good, Berti. It does involve having strong principles, which she has.

But Bercow is top of the list because he's a Tory: other Tories dislike him but may not dare vote against one of their own (typical Gordon Brown move, more interested in party political advantage than actually getting the right man for the job; but he may well be okay.)

[Marky B]

Good luck - I hope she gets it.
Marky B

[BertiWooster]

That deputy head was one whoom you defied at your peril .
He only had to show himself , and there would be silence in the corridors - he didn't have to speak .

In other words he commanded respect - ( if not fear )

If Miss Widdecombe can command respect with her fellow MP's , ( and can be impartial which i am not convinced of , listening to her in the past ) then fair enough .

But she does irriate me .

[jno]

fear is good, Berti. She sounds like my kinda gal, though I have no wish ever to meet her. If new MPs are scared of her, they might learn some humility. This could be an improvement.

[BertiWooster]

You see what that deputy head is doing to me , thinking about him .
That is twice , I have spelt irritate incorrectly .

[paraffin]

Berti:

Just the type to keep a load of overgrown kids in order then!
AND to take away their free milk when they transgress the expenses system! (oops, no, someone else like her did that to real kids back in the 70s, didn't she?)

[youngmafbog]

She could probably do well, I doubt many would get away with much.

She wont get it though.

[anotheoldgit]

I hope she gets the job, she is a mature woman of strong principles, and I think she will be impartial.

The last speaker was Labour, so I think this time it should be Conservative.

The last speaker was Male so this time the Speaker should be Female.

Anne fits all these, but I don't suppose she will get the job because she doesn't fit in with the 'establishment'.

[redman41]

Don't know about her hat Bertiwooster, she would be better throwing her big t*ts in instead !!!!!! Much more interesting LOL

[LazyGun]

I used to dislike her a lot, but either she has mellowed or I have, because I don't find her half as irritating nowadays.

I think her voice grates a bit, which may be a disadvantage in the role of Speaker of the House, but she does have, and fights hard for, her principles ( remember her comments about Michael Howerd? Something of the night about him) which is admirable.

The tradition, as I understand it, has been for the Speaker to be elected from amongst the opposition ranks - a tradition broken by Labour with the appointment of Betty Boothroyd and latterly, and with a large degree of discontent,Michael Martin, so the Commons may feel it appropriate to fall back on tradition.

Personally I would prefer a Widdecombe type to Bercow type of politician though - This Bercow chap has been campaigning rather too hard for the position, and he doesn't strike me as being a conviction politician like the Widdecombes of the world.

[waterbabe]

Roll on Ann W hope she gets it do you not think she is well rounded for the job put my money on her any day
Down with another contender Margaret Beckett now she should be one to be scared of and would'nt give a penny back of the expenses she claimed either eeeeeeuk

[BertiWooster]

She has converted to Catholicism - not sure what, if any
relevance that will have on her chances .
She is not the first politicain to go that way , in very recent history .

I do note however that she was one of a number of politicians who objected in 1993 , to the ordination of women to the priesthood , in the Church Of England .

Odd - I assume that she will be hoping now ,that there is no descrimination / prejudice , to her becoming Commons Speaker , on the grounds of her gender .

[lynbrown]

As long as its not Margaret Beckett. I used to repect her and admire her business like ways but claiming �600 for pot plants is an insult to all those who pay for their own. ( Just spent �58 at Garden Centre and paid for it myself)