Comments on: Speaker candidates: Half the field now endorses mySociety’s principles

By: Kemble

Kemble — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:04:03 +0000

Ann Widdicombe is strong enough for the job and is no one’s pet. The last speaker was selected because he was week and could be manipulated, whoever is selected must be tough and above all fair. As Ann is off after the next election she has little to gain, yet plenty to offer.

By: Fallside

Fallside — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:36:42 +0000

i am Conservative. Ann Widdicombe has her merits but I
think she is a little bit too much of a ‘character’ to have
the requisite authority. I know the last two (or is it three) have been Labour. If the individual is right for the job then he should be chosen. I think Frank Field has the right qualities.He’s free of doctrinaire attitudes.

By: C.J.Collins

C.J.Collins — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:25:30 +0000

I dont see the point of this discussion as we the people,will not have any say in who becomes speaker.
The speaker will be chosen by the selfservers – need I say more!

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:48:17 +0000

Unfortunately there are few ‘normal’ candidates standing for Speaker, and we cringe as we see that Beckett is the favourite. I still believe that Anne, who does listen to all sides but has her opinions – and what is wrong with that, should be ‘our Speaker’, albeit for a short time while Parliament settles down and has a darn good think about its up-itself-culture. Surely someone without any opinions is a zombie, and incapable of being either an MP or our next Speaker.

By: Frank Watson

Frank Watson — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:35:50 +0000

Frank Field stands out from anyone else. I would trust him, and I don’t trust many in the ‘House’. Ann Widdicombe? perhaps, but I hesitate because she loves being a bit of top-billing too much.

By: Karen Jemmett

Karen Jemmett — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:15:49 +0000

I don’t see why we should always elect a pantomine character as Speaker. First it was Betty Boothroyd, then Michael Martin. Now Ann Widdicombe is the favoured goon.
Can’t we have someone normal for a change?

By: Patrick O'Neill

Patrick O'Neill — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:46:42 +0000

Anne Widdecombe by far . She would make an excellent Speaker.

By: John Nurcombe

John Nurcombe — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:52:37 +0000

Ann Widdecombe is head and shoulders above the others eacept,perhaps Frank Field.She would be just right for the post with Frank Field only a cat’s whisker behind.Both have clean records and if all politicians had played the game,parliament would be more respected.

By: Francis Irving

Francis Irving — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:31:55 +0000

Kaihsu – there’s an XML file with the raw data about speaker candidate endorsements here:

http://ukparse.kforge.net/svn/parlparse/members/speaker-candidates.xml

By: Hugh Duffy

Hugh Duffy — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:26:25 +0000

Please refer to the Government web site and disclosures of allowances and expenses Check who has NOT deleted information and has asterised those to be deducted from legitimate allowances. ONE stands out. Anne Widdecombe.