In what was surely the most inept statement ever made to the House of Commons, a blundering, stuttering Speaker lost what little authority he has remaining to him.

In a speech of staggering inadequacy, Michael Martin apologized on behalf of the whole House over the cash-for-breathing affair, while putting his own involvement in the conditional tense.

He called for a meeting of party leaders “within 48 hours” to thrash out a solution to the many problems of this imploding Parliament.

As he sat down there followed a rumble of total disbelief from the many members present. The mood threatened to erupt in fury as member after member rose to challenge his authority and competence. Some called outright for his resignation.

When asked about Douglas Carswell’s Early Day Motion calling for him to step down, the bewildered Speaker needed to consult his Clerk on whether an EDM was a “substantive motion” that could be debated. It wasn’t. That was in the hands of the government, he said, to loud groans and protests from all sides of the House.

He had passed the buck to his old crony, Gordon Brown, no doubt expecting his support.

At this point Martin was overwhelmed by shouts from the floor and continuing points of order. He had lost the respect of the House but blustered on as if unaware of it. His thick hide and thicker brain failing to grasp the seriousness of his plight.

There is now real anger in Parliament and that will spill over in the days ahead. It was apparent that this hopeless man, promoted as an ally by Gordon Brown, cannot continue in this role.

If the Prime Minister makes any move to keep him in office, he will go down with him. He probably will in any case.

Brown sat moodily on the front bench and must have sensed another nail biting into his political coffin. He left immediately after the statement.

It was dire. It was death.

Cameron calls for Election now
Minutes before the Speaker’s suicide note, David Cameron addressed a press conference and called for “a General election after June the 4th”.

Couched as an imperative rather than a party political point, the declaration cited the public mood of anger and frustration and demanded an end to the triple chaos in government, the economy and political morality.

The Leader of the Opposition’s intervention will strengthen the growing coalition calling for the catharsis of a national poll.

John Evans

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