THE PERILS OF A SPEAKER UNCHAINED

IT SEEMS MANY LIFETIMES AGO NOW. In the summer of 2009, the Speaker of the House of Commons was under acute political pressure. Scandal followed scandal as MPs’ widespread abuses of the system of expenses and allowances were exposed. An ecosystem which had existed on the basis of nods, understandings and unspoken compromises was falling apart under public scrutiny — and the mishandling of the whole rotten affair was being laid at the foot of the chair.

The truth was that Michael Martin, long-time Labour MP for Glasgow Springburn, was not up to the job of Speaker. A standard-issue Scottish trade union heavy, he had not troubled the front bench, but had put in blameless and anonymous service chairing legislative committees in the Commons until, in 1997, he was appointed second deputy speaker. Three years later Speaker Boothroyd stepped down, and Martin, although far from the most distinguished candidate in the race, got the nod.

Convention would have suggested it was the Conservatives’ turn, and many eminent parliamentarians such as Alan Haselhurst and George Young offered their services. But 2000 was the pomp of New Labour, the Tories were a diminished force and few questions were asked. After a six-hour round of speeches and divisions, the Commons ordered that Michael Martin do take the chair of this