Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

I have to say that I am undecided as to whether the Speaker should stand down in Westminster as a result of the expenses fiasco. I listened to the Radio Wales phone in today, and I understand the blogger Iain Dale’s reasoning for supporting the call for the Speaker to stand down- that this should happen as soon as possible so that reforms can take place immediately, with a new Speaker leading the way. A Speaker that has not been party to the current mess regarding expenses. After all, the Speaker Michael Martin is responsible for the office that ensures the ’smooth’ running of the House of Commons- specifically the fees office where civil servants have famously ok’ed some of those unacceptable claims from MPs ( I will never talk about moats and swimming pools in the same way again)  Nonetheless, I hesitate in chiming in agreement  at this stage that it is the Speaker who should go, as I think that this problem goes far deeper than the role of the Speaker alone.  

I do not want to see Michael Martin being used as a scape goat. Once he has gone, will everything change?  At the end of the day, responsibility for expenses a) lies with individual MPs- they should be answerable for their own expenses claims, and to justify them regardless of the ’system’ and b) party leaders should act as just that in providing advice to fellow MPs on the system as it stands.

Many critics have stated how well David Cameron has dealt with the expenses issue, of apologising promptly and condemning those MPs in his party that have clearly been excessive. Yet I don’t believe that he should be excused from culpability entirely. Surely it is the role of party leaders to keep track of  MPs expenses from their respective parties, and guide MPs ( especially newer MPs) as to what they should do, what they should or should not claim? Should party leaders be able to somehow keep this issue at arms length, as if it is out of their control? 

It is for this reason that I waver over whether the Speaker should go. This situation was not created by one person, from one political party. Everyone involved has to take collective action to change the system, and  there should be a recognition that there are MPs out there who have not been part of all of this, and have acted appropriately from the outset.  

As I write, Michael Martin has not resigned, has not announced a date to resign despite apologising to the house. MPs are furious today that a motion proposing a no confidence motion was not considered, and that the Speaker did not understand the proceedings himself as to the hearing of the motion in question!

Michael Martin remains in the Chair for now, but I doubt that the likes of Nick Clegg will let this issue rest. After all, many people see Michael Martin as part of the old fashioned club of MPs, who last week wanted action taken on the leak of the expenses to the Daily Telegraph. But again, a change in culture will take more than removing one person from one position. A total reform of Westminster is what’s needed, surely?  

I bet Gordon Brown regrets not biting the bullet and calling that general election when he may have come out of it a bit battered and bruised, as opposed to possibly facing a disastrous result in a future General election. I am sure that the current opinion polls are reason enough for David Cameron to be calling for an immediate general election- possibly bypassing the discussion over the Speakers resignation to make headway elsewhere…

Now its over to you to convince me he should go!

update 19/05/09 – the Speaker has announced his intention to stand down. Events have moved faster than expected. Lets hope this leads to wholescale reform now.