I didn't have the good fortune of catching the hustings for the Speaker position, merely catching the odd 'Tweet' that Jo Swinson was curiously sending Iain Dale's way. A touching stint of cross-party speculation if ever there was some.
For me, the Speaker vacancy has been a one-horse race right from the start. Even before Ann Widdecombe put her hat in the ring I had her down as a personal favourite, though I'll admit that is in no small part due to me not knowing my Sir George Youngs from my John Bercows.
Ann Widdecombe would be forthfright, fair and, most importantly, humorous. She would command the respect of all parties and would help us get into the next parliamentary term unscathed in a very difficult time. Most of all, it would be a really wonderful send off for the lady before she retires from a very successful and eventful time as an MP.
And if you are still in any doubt that Ann would be the right choice, just cast your eye on any scene from her thoroughly entertaining "Ann Widdecombe to the Rescue" TV series which, if there was any justice in the world, would be into its 12th series by now as the Tory MP went about single-handedly energising the nation's youth.
For me, the Speaker vacancy has been a one-horse race right from the start. Even before Ann Widdecombe put her hat in the ring I had her down as a personal favourite, though I'll admit that is in no small part due to me not knowing my Sir George Youngs from my John Bercows.
Ann Widdecombe would be forthfright, fair and, most importantly, humorous. She would command the respect of all parties and would help us get into the next parliamentary term unscathed in a very difficult time. Most of all, it would be a really wonderful send off for the lady before she retires from a very successful and eventful time as an MP.
And if you are still in any doubt that Ann would be the right choice, just cast your eye on any scene from her thoroughly entertaining "Ann Widdecombe to the Rescue" TV series which, if there was any justice in the world, would be into its 12th series by now as the Tory MP went about single-handedly energising the nation's youth.
As a further point there would be a welcomingly neat gender balance to having Betty Boothroyd then Michael Martin and then another lady following on.
Ann Widdecombe's a class act, a thoroughly good egg and I hope she gets to leave Westminster in style as the Speaker of the House.
11 comments:
The full tables are now up for yesterday's Sunday Times poll. The SNP will surely be disappointed at their measly 13 point lead in the constituency vote. Must do better, frankly.
http://www.yougov.co.uk/extranets/ygarchives/content/pdf/ST-scottish_June09.pdf
Holyrood Constituency
SNP 39
Lab 26
LD 14
Con 14
Oth 7
Holyrood Regional
SNP 34
Lab 26
Con 14
LD 13
Grn 7
SSP 3
Solidarity 1
Oth 3
Ms Widdecombe has one great virtue, so rare in MP's, and indeed setting her apart from the other candidates. She is honest. Untainted by the trough. I hope the vermin sans ermine realise she's the best "man" for the job.
One problem might be the limited nature of her tenure. Most current MPs who expect to get back in at the next election (there might be a few) will be wary of going thru the whole process again within a year. For us that would seem perfectly acceptable. For those desperate to re-stabilize their lives (boo-hoo), it might be one more duck to line-up in the row...
There was a great story about her and Lord Henley. One day he went into her Westminster office and was shocked to find her civil servants addressing her as 'Ann'.
'You shouldn't let them call you Ann,it's too familiar,' he said.
'Well, God calls me Ann,' she replied.
'Well, God calls me Lord Henley!' he retorted.
For once you agree with me!
I reckon that's a great point MekQuarrie.
Fab story Julie. Or should I call you Lady McAnulty? ;)
G. Campbell's figures gives:
SNP 52 (+5)
LAB 37 (-9)
CON 16 (-1)
LIB 16 (NC)
GRN 07 (+5)
SSP 01 (+1)
IND 00 (-1)
According to scotlandvotes.com.
Most of those who had any dealing with M/s Widdecombe when she was a Social Security Minister will be surprised to hear her being described as "honest".
Yep, sincerity is key. Once you can fake it, you're sorted.
Being known to the public would be vital in restoring any public confidence.
I believe the front runner is Margaret Beckett who once self described as a "Labour hack". Nuff said.
In a political world which is increasingly accused of a pervasive lack of genuine character, where politicians are consciously fraudulent souls dominated by the quivering fear of being caught "off message" - trend-bucking creatures who seem to bound at their own pace can look appealing. Even better if they have not exchanged their ideas for their ID card at the House of Commons door.
They've got a coherence the script-bunnies cannot live up to. I'll give you one thing, Anne Widdecombe is authentic. Unfortunately, she is also authentically ghastly...
Post a Comment