Wirral MP Frank Field testing support for Speaker of the House of Commons bid

Jun 1 2009 Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD MP Frank Field is canvassing support for a bid to become Commons Speaker.

He wants to clean up Parliament following the MPs’ expenses scandal, but he will only officially stand if he is guaranteed cross-party backing.

“There is no point going in for it if a new Speaker can’t muster whole-hearted support,” the former welfare minister and arch-critic of the government said.

“We have to be serious about genuine reform if Parliament is to regain the trust of the electorate. To do that the next Speaker must be able to act with authority.”

Mr Field will test out personal support over the next three weeks up until the eve of the Westminster election to replace Speaker Michael Martin, blamed for failing to introduce reforms which might have averted the present furore.

Other potential candidates are Tories: Ann Widdicombe, backbench rebel John Bercow, current deputy Speaker Sir Alan Hazelhurst and former minister Sir George Young.