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| Speaker: Runners and riders | Speaker: Runners and riders |
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| The Commons speaker, Michael Martin, has announced he is stepping down on 21 June. His successor will be chosen by MPs the following day. Here are some of the names being talked about in connection with the job. | The Commons speaker, Michael Martin, has announced he is stepping down on 21 June. His successor will be chosen by MPs the following day. Here are some of the names being talked about in connection with the job. |
| JOHN BERCOW - STANDING | JOHN BERCOW - STANDING |
| Backbench Tory MP. Former right winger, who has moved towards the centre in recent years. Thought to have the backing of several Labour MPs for the Speaker's job but may not be popular enough with his own side to stand a realistic chance. Current favourite at bookmakers Ladbrokes to land the job. | Backbench Tory MP. Former right winger, who has moved towards the centre in recent years. Thought to have the backing of several Labour MPs for the Speaker's job but may not be popular enough with his own side to stand a realistic chance. Current favourite at bookmakers Ladbrokes to land the job. |
| SIR ALAN BEITH - STANDING | SIR ALAN BEITH - STANDING |
| Veteran Lib Dem MP, with more than 30 years' experience. Former party leadership contender. Chairman of the constitutional affairs committee. Respected figure who was in the running for the job in 2000. Says the job of Speaker should be to "lead on reform" rather than defend the status quo and to strengthen MPs' ability to challenge the government. But asked if the new Speaker had to be "whiter than white", he joked: "Nobody is whiter than white." He said he had once claimed twice for the same television licence but immediately sent off a cheque when he realised his mistake. | Veteran Lib Dem MP, with more than 30 years' experience. Former party leadership contender. Chairman of the constitutional affairs committee. Respected figure who was in the running for the job in 2000. Says the job of Speaker should be to "lead on reform" rather than defend the status quo and to strengthen MPs' ability to challenge the government. But asked if the new Speaker had to be "whiter than white", he joked: "Nobody is whiter than white." He said he had once claimed twice for the same television licence but immediately sent off a cheque when he realised his mistake. |
| MARGARET BECKETT - STANDING | MARGARET BECKETT - STANDING |
| First female foreign secretary who briefly led the Labour Party after John Smith's death and before the election of Tony Blair, Margaret Beckett is certainly not short of experience. Her late entry into the race to be Speaker came after she reportedly quit the government after asking to be given a full time cabinet seat as housing minister. She said she wanted to help Parliament deal with its "considerable problems". Not untouched by the expenses furore but commands respect on all sides of the House. Mrs Beckett was quickly installed as the 4/1 second favourite by bookies after her announcement. | First female foreign secretary who briefly led the Labour Party after John Smith's death and before the election of Tony Blair, Margaret Beckett is certainly not short of experience. Her late entry into the race to be Speaker came after she reportedly quit the government after asking to be given a full time cabinet seat as housing minister. She said she wanted to help Parliament deal with its "considerable problems". Not untouched by the expenses furore but commands respect on all sides of the House. Mrs Beckett was quickly installed as the 4/1 second favourite by bookies after her announcement. |
| PARMJIT DHANDA - STANDING | PARMJIT DHANDA - STANDING |
| By his own admission not an "obvious choice" for the role of Speaker, Labour's Mr Dhanda says that as one of the few Asian MPs in the House he was spurred into action by the BNP winning seats in the European Parliament. 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. Has said he wants to make Parliament "less macho" and improve facilities for MPs with children. | By his own admission not an "obvious choice" for the role of Speaker, Labour's Mr Dhanda says that as one of the few Asian MPs in the House he was spurred into action by the BNP winning seats in the European Parliament. 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. Has said he wants to make Parliament "less macho" and improve facilities for MPs with children. |
| SIR MICHAEL LORD - STANDING | SIR MICHAEL LORD - STANDING |
| The Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Sir Michael Lord stood for the Speakership when Betty Boothroyd won the post. He said: "I have got strong support, and I am very serious about the contest." | The Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Sir Michael Lord stood for the Speakership when Betty Boothroyd won the post. He said: "I have got strong support, and I am very serious about the contest." |
| SIR PATRICK CORMACK - STANDING | SIR PATRICK CORMACK - STANDING |
| Veteran Tory backbencher who was in the running for the job last time. Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Says he would bring "a robust impartiality" to the role. Expert on constitutional affairs but may be seen as too much of a traditionalist to lead changes demanded by most MPs. | Veteran Tory backbencher who was in the running for the job last time. Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Says he would bring "a robust impartiality" to the role. Expert on constitutional affairs but may be seen as too much of a traditionalist to lead changes demanded by most MPs. |
| ANN WIDDECOMBE - STANDING | ANN WIDDECOMBE - STANDING |
| Former shadow home secretary and one of the best-known and most widely respected members of the Commons. Plans to stand down at next general election and has ruled out becoming a permanent replacement for Michael Martin. But is attracting support from colleagues as a possible interim Speaker. | Former shadow home secretary and one of the best-known and most widely respected members of the Commons. Plans to stand down at next general election and has ruled out becoming a permanent replacement for Michael Martin. But is attracting support from colleagues as a possible interim Speaker. |
| SIR GEORGE YOUNG - STANDING | SIR GEORGE YOUNG - STANDING |
| Conservative grandee and widely-respected chairman of the Standards and Privileges Committee. One of the bookmakers' favourites to land the job of Speaker after missing out in 2000. But Eton-educated background may count against him in the eyes of Labour MPs. Ladbrokes make him 10/1. | Conservative grandee and widely-respected chairman of the Standards and Privileges Committee. One of the bookmakers' favourites to land the job of Speaker after missing out in 2000. But Eton-educated background may count against him in the eyes of Labour MPs. Ladbrokes make him 10/1. |
| SIR ALAN HASELHURST - STANDING | SIR ALAN HASELHURST - STANDING |
| Conservative MP and deputy speaker. Widely-respected figure who also served as deputy to former Speaker Betty Boothroyd. Another favourite at the bookmakers but being singled out by The Daily Telegraph for claiming £142,119 in second homes allowances since 2001, despite having no mortgage on the property, will not help his chances. | Conservative MP and deputy speaker. Widely-respected figure who also served as deputy to former Speaker Betty Boothroyd. Another favourite at the bookmakers but being singled out by The Daily Telegraph for claiming £142,119 in second homes allowances since 2001, despite having no mortgage on the property, will not help his chances. |
| RICHARD SHEPHERD - STANDING | RICHARD SHEPHERD - STANDING |
| Independent-minded veteran Tory MP, first elected in 1979. Has led criticism of Speaker Martin. Stood unsuccessfully for the Speakership in October 2000. Ladbrokes makes him 20/1. | Independent-minded veteran Tory MP, first elected in 1979. Has led criticism of Speaker Martin. Stood unsuccessfully for the Speakership in October 2000. Ladbrokes makes him 20/1. |
| FRANK FIELD - STANDING | FRANK FIELD - STANDING |
| Maverick former Labour minister who sometimes seem more respected on Opposition side of the house - which he acknowledges may count against him. In a statement, Mr Field admitted that a lack of support from the Labour benches was a "significant weakness" and said he would not be a candidate if such support was not forthcoming. But he added that there was still time for the "Labour bloc" to break up and he would continue to publish his ideas about the Speakership on his website. Led successful campaign to reverse 10p tax band cut. Has also led calls for wholesale reform of the Commons. | Maverick former Labour minister who sometimes seem more respected on Opposition side of the house - which he acknowledges may count against him. In a statement, Mr Field admitted that a lack of support from the Labour benches was a "significant weakness" and said he would not be a candidate if such support was not forthcoming. But he added that there was still time for the "Labour bloc" to break up and he would continue to publish his ideas about the Speakership on his website. Led successful campaign to reverse 10p tax band cut. Has also led calls for wholesale reform of the Commons. |
| CHRIS MULLIN - YET TO CONFIRM | CHRIS MULLIN - YET TO CONFIRM |
| Former Labour minister and diarist, with an independent-minded streak. Standing down at the next election but has been talked of as a possible interim candidate for Speaker, who might gain the necessary cross-party support. | Former Labour minister and diarist, with an independent-minded streak. Standing down at the next election but has been talked of as a possible interim candidate for Speaker, who might gain the necessary cross-party support. |
| TONY WRIGHT - YET TO CONFIRM | TONY WRIGHT - YET TO CONFIRM |
| Widely-respected chairman of the public administration committee, who has led a number of investigations into the conduct of MPs and civil servants. Has been talked of by some as a possible contender from the Labour benches. | Widely-respected chairman of the public administration committee, who has led a number of investigations into the conduct of MPs and civil servants. Has been talked of by some as a possible contender from the Labour benches. |
| SYLVIA HEAL - YET TO CONFIRM | SYLVIA HEAL - YET TO CONFIRM |
| Labour MP and deputy speaker. Sister of Labour MP Ann Keen, who organised Michael Martin's successful campaign for the Speakership in 2000. | Labour MP and deputy speaker. Sister of Labour MP Ann Keen, who organised Michael Martin's successful campaign for the Speakership in 2000. |
| NON RUNNERS | NON RUNNERS |
| Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable, an early favourite with the bookmakers, has ruled himself out of the running for the Speaker's job, as has his former party leader Sir Menzies Campbell. Former shadow home secretary David Davis has also ruled himself out. | Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable, an early favourite with the bookmakers, has ruled himself out of the running for the Speaker's job, as has his former party leader Sir Menzies Campbell. Former shadow home secretary David Davis has also ruled himself out. |