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Speaker hopeful warns off whips Speaker hopeful warns off whips
(about 7 hours later)
Tory veteran Ann Widdecombe has told party whips to "stay out" of the election of the new Commons Speaker.Tory veteran Ann Widdecombe has told party whips to "stay out" of the election of the new Commons Speaker.
The former minister, who puts herself forward as an interim Speaker, said she had heard Labour whips were pushing MPs to vote for Tory John Bercow. The ex-minister, who has put herself forward as an interim Speaker, said she had heard Labour whips were pushing MPs to vote for Tory John Bercow.
She told Sky News: "It's a matter for members of Parliament not for the whips."She told Sky News: "It's a matter for members of Parliament not for the whips."
MPs will vote in a secret ballot for a replacement for Speaker Michael Martin, who quit over the expenses furore.MPs will vote in a secret ballot for a replacement for Speaker Michael Martin, who quit over the expenses furore.
Miss Widdecombe said in such "extraordinary circumstances", an interim Speaker was a good option as it would mean a "very, very focused" period for reform ahead of a general election.Miss Widdecombe said in such "extraordinary circumstances", an interim Speaker was a good option as it would mean a "very, very focused" period for reform ahead of a general election.
SPEAKER CANDIDATES Ann Widdecombe (Con)Margaret Beckett (Lab)Sir Patrick Cormack (Con)John Bercow (Con)Frank Field (Lab)Parmjit Dhanda (Lab)Sir Michael Lord (Con)Sir George Young (Con)Sir Alan Haselhurst (Con)Richard Shepherd (Con)Sir Alan Beith (Lib) Speaker: Runners and ridersSPEAKER CANDIDATES Ann Widdecombe (Con)Margaret Beckett (Lab)Sir Patrick Cormack (Con)John Bercow (Con)Frank Field (Lab)Parmjit Dhanda (Lab)Sir Michael Lord (Con)Sir George Young (Con)Sir Alan Haselhurst (Con)Richard Shepherd (Con)Sir Alan Beith (Lib) Speaker: Runners and riders
"It's to get in there, to do a job - really do it - then hand over to a fresh Parliament, there is an argument for it in these circumstances.""It's to get in there, to do a job - really do it - then hand over to a fresh Parliament, there is an argument for it in these circumstances."
Labour backbencher Frank Field has said he will step aside if he does not get enough support from his own party.Labour backbencher Frank Field has said he will step aside if he does not get enough support from his own party.
Miss Widdecombe said she too would not stand if she could not get cross-party support, but added: "I very much hope that Frank can stand, because I think that Frank is a very respected figure both inside and outside the House of Commons.Miss Widdecombe said she too would not stand if she could not get cross-party support, but added: "I very much hope that Frank can stand, because I think that Frank is a very respected figure both inside and outside the House of Commons.
"But of course he's got the usual problem that comes with independent thinking - got a lot of support on our side and not much on his and he's honourable enough to say the Speaker must have cross-party support. I take the same view ... I hope every single candidate would take that view.""But of course he's got the usual problem that comes with independent thinking - got a lot of support on our side and not much on his and he's honourable enough to say the Speaker must have cross-party support. I take the same view ... I hope every single candidate would take that view."
Asked about reports Labour whips were being active on behalf of Tory MP John Bercow, she said: "That is what I'm hearing. I think the whips should stay out of this on behalf of whatever candidate, it is a House of Commons matter."Asked about reports Labour whips were being active on behalf of Tory MP John Bercow, she said: "That is what I'm hearing. I think the whips should stay out of this on behalf of whatever candidate, it is a House of Commons matter."
Mr Martin is due to stand down on 21 June and his successor will be elected the following day.Mr Martin is due to stand down on 21 June and his successor will be elected the following day.
Up to 11 potential candidates could make their pitch to MPs in a hustings organised by the Hansard Society on Monday.Up to 11 potential candidates could make their pitch to MPs in a hustings organised by the Hansard Society on Monday.
Among other candidates are Labour's former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett, the Conservative chairman of the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee Sir George Young and Lib Dem Sir Alan Beith.Among other candidates are Labour's former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett, the Conservative chairman of the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee Sir George Young and Lib Dem Sir Alan Beith.