Print this article
Is the 33-second statement that marked the end of Michael Martin’s reign as Speaker the beginning of the end, or just the end of the beginning? It’s certainly “an impressive scalp for those who’ve campaigned for MPs to be brought to account for the wilful abuse by many of their allowances and expenses”, says the Evening Standard. “He represented the old guard, having tried at length to block greater transparency. But MPs would be wrong to hope that the catharsis will mean public indignation is now satisfied – that process is far from over.”
Indeed, says The Times’s Daniel Finkelstein. “This is about more than money.” The expenses scandal “was simply a ‘gotcha’ moment when the electorate found its MPs were behaving just as they had always suspected”. But the broader crisis has been brewing for years. It comes “from a long-suppressed frustration that politics in this country is broken and no one’s doing anything about it”. So will the departure of Mr Martin, the first Speaker to be forced from office for more than 300 years (the last to be sacked was thrown out in 1695 for taking bribes), herald more openness?
That depends partly on who gets the job next (see below). But parliament has already been “forced to surrender its ancient right to run its own affairs”, says The Daily Telegraph’s Philip Webster. MPs’ finances will now be dealt with by an independent regulator, with Gordon Brown claiming that Westminster could “no longer operate like a gentlemen’s club, making its own rules”.
But is this the best solution? “Most MPs are decent people, not crooks,” says The Independent’s Bruce Anderson. Yes, “the system must be changed, but not in a spirit of mob outrage”. Part of the problem is that “for years, successive governments have been reluctant to pay MPs properly”. You can understand why – “on MPs’ pay, there is never a good moment to catch the public in a generous mood”. Expenses, on the other hand, are easy to raise without attracting publicity. “The simplest solution would be to abolish the second residence grant and compensate MPs with a substantial pay rise.” Public anger could be assuaged by at the same time announcing a cut in the number of MPs serving.
“Hang on, MPs not paid properly?” says The Guardian’s Aditya Chakrabortty. The £64,766 salary paid to parliamentarians puts them comfortably into the top 5% of all single earners. “The Palace of Westminster is hardly breadline Britain.” And “as for parliamentary pay lagging behind other industries, that’s a canard”. Between 1990 and 2006, MPs’ pay increases far outstripped inflation, average earnings and public-sector pay. “If parliamentarians want to claim”, as the late Tony Banks did, “that they’re ‘a sort of high-powered social worker’, they should note that a social worker’s position in Camden is advertised for between £30,045 and £39,228.”
More to the point is that this proposed new regulator is only needed because “the outgoing Speaker was intellectually and morally incapable of enforcing the existing rules”, says Simon Heffer in The Daily Telegraph. It may be the right decision for now, but should be reviewed once the House is “purged of the corrupt, depraved and dishonest elements that mark this one out for its rottenness”.
Who will take over as Speaker?
Sir George Young: Good breeding – an Old Etonian, like Tory leader David Cameron – and an experienced runner, as the chairman of the standards and privileges committee. Odds 5-1.
John Bercow: This former right-winger has become increasingly liberal and regularly voted against his own party. He may get support in the ring from Labour. Odds 5-1.
Sir Alan Beith: Looks keen in the paddock – his declaration to run within an hour of the Speaker’s resignation spotlights this former Liberal Democrat deputy leader’s ambition for the job. Odds 6-1.
Frank Field: Maverick ex-minister who has fallen out with many in his own party, but is well regarded by plenty of Tories. Formbook reads well – he has voluntarily published all his expenses online. Odds 8-1.
Sir Alan Haselhurst: The current Deputy Speaker. Might prefer softer ground – his parliamentary expenses include £12,000 in gardening bills. Odds 14-1.
Sir Menzies Campbell: Political top weight whose form has recently dipped – he’s another perceived to have overdone his expense claims. Odds 16-1.
Ann Widdecombe: Plenty of staying power – she’s been an MP for 22 years – but she’s said she won’t run for parliament again. Could be a value bet as an ‘interim’ candidate. Odds 20-1.
Figures taken from: http://politicalbetting.bestbetting.com
Published in
Economics
| More
articles
by
David Stevenson
Related articles
-
By Emily Hohler, Nov 20, 2009
-
By Merryn Somerset Webb, Nov 20, 2009
FREE - MoneyWeek's daily investment email
Our free daily email, Money Morning, is an informative and enjoyable analysis of what's going on in the markets. Written by our Editor, John Stepek, and guest contributors.
Sign up FREE to Money Morning here.
