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Labour MP Dhanda in Speaker bid Labour MP Dhanda in Speaker bid
(about 3 hours later)
Labour's Parmjit Dhanda is the latest MP to throw their hat into the ring for the job of Commons Speaker.Labour's Parmjit Dhanda is the latest MP to throw their hat into the ring for the job of Commons Speaker.
Mr Dhanda, one of a handful of Asian MPs, says he was spurred into action by the BNP winning two MEP seats.Mr Dhanda, one of a handful of Asian MPs, says he was spurred into action by the BNP winning two MEP seats.
Deputy Speaker Sir Michael Lord is also joining a crowded field of would-be replacements for Michael Martin.Deputy Speaker Sir Michael Lord is also joining a crowded field of would-be replacements for Michael Martin.
Nine MPs are to take part in Hansard Society hustings on Monday including Tory Sir George Young, Lib Dem Sir Alan Beith and Labour's Frank Field.Nine MPs are to take part in Hansard Society hustings on Monday including Tory Sir George Young, Lib Dem Sir Alan Beith and Labour's Frank Field.
Other contenders making their case for the job on Monday include another of the current deputy speakers, Tory MP Sir Alan Haselhurst, veteran Tory Sir Patrick Cormack, Tory backbenchers Richard Shepherd and John Bercow, who is the current favourite at the bookmakers.Other contenders making their case for the job on Monday include another of the current deputy speakers, Tory MP Sir Alan Haselhurst, veteran Tory Sir Patrick Cormack, Tory backbenchers Richard Shepherd and John Bercow, who is the current favourite at the bookmakers.
'Not obvious choice''Not obvious choice'
Conservative Ann Widdecombe has said she would be prepared to do it on an interim basis.Conservative Ann Widdecombe has said she would be prepared to do it on an interim basis.
Other MPs tipped as potential contenders include ex-Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell, Deputy Speaker Sylvia Heal, former Labour minister Chris Mullin and Public Administration Committee Chairman Tony Wright.Other MPs tipped as potential contenders include ex-Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell, Deputy Speaker Sylvia Heal, former Labour minister Chris Mullin and Public Administration Committee Chairman Tony Wright.
So far, Mr Beith and Mr Bercow are the only MPs to have formally declared an interest in taking on the post permanently.
The Speaker must actively encourage political parties to make changes, through law, to catalyse these changes over one or two terms, not 100 years Parmjit Dhanda, Labour MPThe Speaker must actively encourage political parties to make changes, through law, to catalyse these changes over one or two terms, not 100 years Parmjit Dhanda, Labour MP
Tory MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Sir Michael Lord, who stood for the Speakership when Betty Boothroyd won the post, said: "I have got strong support, and I am very serious about the contest."Tory MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Sir Michael Lord, who stood for the Speakership when Betty Boothroyd won the post, said: "I have got strong support, and I am very serious about the contest."
Mr Dhanda, who is understood to have turned down a chance to return to government, announced his move for the job in an e-mail to MPs, ahead of the 22 June election.Mr Dhanda, who is understood to have turned down a chance to return to government, announced his move for the job in an e-mail to MPs, ahead of the 22 June election.
The former fire services minister and MP for Gloucester plans to stand on an agenda of reforming parliament, including holding debates outside the chamber in provincial towns and cities.The former fire services minister and MP for Gloucester plans to stand on an agenda of reforming parliament, including holding debates outside the chamber in provincial towns and cities.
In his email, Mr Dhanda admitted that he was not "an obvious choice" but told MPs: "Until I see someone more likely to win who will fight for the causes I spell out here, I'll be in this contest."In his email, Mr Dhanda admitted that he was not "an obvious choice" but told MPs: "Until I see someone more likely to win who will fight for the causes I spell out here, I'll be in this contest."
He said the new speaker should act as "the interface between Parliament and modern Britain, championing the role of MPs and encouraging greater participation amongst the public".He said the new speaker should act as "the interface between Parliament and modern Britain, championing the role of MPs and encouraging greater participation amongst the public".
'Archaic system''Archaic system'
If he took the chair, that would include encouraging parties to speed up moves to make MPs representative of society as a whole - something that would take 100 years on present progress, he said.If he took the chair, that would include encouraging parties to speed up moves to make MPs representative of society as a whole - something that would take 100 years on present progress, he said.
"The Speaker must actively encourage political parties to make changes, through law, to catalyse these changes over one or two terms, not 100 years," he said."The Speaker must actively encourage political parties to make changes, through law, to catalyse these changes over one or two terms, not 100 years," he said.
Our procedures are antiquated, our language arcane Sir George Young Speaker: runners and ridersOur procedures are antiquated, our language arcane Sir George Young Speaker: runners and riders
Mr Dhanda, who is not among MPs whose detailed expense claims have been exposed by The Daily Telegraph, said the scandal had highlighted a serious lack of parent-friendly facilities, such as creches.Mr Dhanda, who is not among MPs whose detailed expense claims have been exposed by The Daily Telegraph, said the scandal had highlighted a serious lack of parent-friendly facilities, such as creches.
At the moment, MPs are left to "use their archaic allowances system to come up with alternative child care provision. Parliament not only stitches them up at the outset, it then hangs them out to dry".At the moment, MPs are left to "use their archaic allowances system to come up with alternative child care provision. Parliament not only stitches them up at the outset, it then hangs them out to dry".
He told BBC News he wanted to "change the macho culture of ministerial life".He told BBC News he wanted to "change the macho culture of ministerial life".
On Tuesday Sir George Young, seen as one of the leading contenders for the speaker's job, said MPs were not doing "what we are paid to do".On Tuesday Sir George Young, seen as one of the leading contenders for the speaker's job, said MPs were not doing "what we are paid to do".
'Into play''Into play'
Writing in the Times, Sir George said the parliamentary week was "shoe-horned" into Tuesdays and Wednesdays - an "ineffective use" of members' time.Writing in the Times, Sir George said the parliamentary week was "shoe-horned" into Tuesdays and Wednesdays - an "ineffective use" of members' time.
Though he has not formally declared his candidacy, his reform proposals will be seen as a manifesto for the job.Though he has not formally declared his candidacy, his reform proposals will be seen as a manifesto for the job.
In his article, Sir George calls for a shake-up of the Commons timetable.In his article, Sir George calls for a shake-up of the Commons timetable.
"The parliamentary week is shoe-horned into Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when too many meetings are scheduled," he writes."The parliamentary week is shoe-horned into Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when too many meetings are scheduled," he writes.
To remedy this, he suggests moving prime minister's questions from Wednesday to Thursday "to bring Thursdays more into play".To remedy this, he suggests moving prime minister's questions from Wednesday to Thursday "to bring Thursdays more into play".
Other reforms he proposes include allowing select committee chairman to present reports in the chamber and take questions; clearer rules on removing the Speaker; better access for the public; and a new business committee of MPs to set the Commons agenda rather than "dancing to the government's tune".Other reforms he proposes include allowing select committee chairman to present reports in the chamber and take questions; clearer rules on removing the Speaker; better access for the public; and a new business committee of MPs to set the Commons agenda rather than "dancing to the government's tune".
Sir George, chairman of the Commons standards and privileges committee, says MPs have "no-one to blame but ourselves" for their present problems.Sir George, chairman of the Commons standards and privileges committee, says MPs have "no-one to blame but ourselves" for their present problems.
"Our procedures are antiquated, our language arcane and the Chamber has joined those of most other democracies as no longer being the cockpit of the nation," he adds."Our procedures are antiquated, our language arcane and the Chamber has joined those of most other democracies as no longer being the cockpit of the nation," he adds.
But he calls for "justice" and a "fair and rational process" when punishing MPs found to have abused the expenses system.But he calls for "justice" and a "fair and rational process" when punishing MPs found to have abused the expenses system.