This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8111887.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Beckett tipped to become Speaker Beckett remains Speaker favourite
(about 5 hours later)
Former Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett is being tipped by bookmakers as the new House of Commons Speaker. As MPs prepare to vote in a new House of Commons Speaker, the former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett remains bookmakers' favourite to win the post.
But at least one Labour MP has accused the government of trying to install Ms Beckett into the post. But at least one Labour MP has accused the government of trying to install her into the prestigious position.
Stephen Pound said government whips were "touting Margaret Beckett" and said that they should "stop doing it".
Ten candidates are in the running to replace Michael Martin, who was forced out following the expenses scandal.Ten candidates are in the running to replace Michael Martin, who was forced out following the expenses scandal.
Labour MP Stephen Pound told Sky News that Labour whips were "touting Margaret Beckett" and said that they should "stop doing it". Mr Pound, Labour MP for Ealing North, also said he thought Mrs Beckett would win the MPs secret ballot on Monday, because of the whips' involvement.
Mr Pound also said he thought Mrs Beckett would win, because of the whips' involvement. The vested interests at Westminster are already manoeuvring to water down reform Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg
He said: "It isn't on. If any of the whips are out there are listening, stop doing it. We know what you're doing, you're going round touting Margaret Beckett."He said: "It isn't on. If any of the whips are out there are listening, stop doing it. We know what you're doing, you're going round touting Margaret Beckett."
Mr Martin became the first Speaker to be forced from office in 300 years when he stood down last month, forcing a by-election in his Glasgow constituency. Mr Martin became the first Speaker to be forced from office in 300 years following widespread public revulsion at the number of MPs who were seen to take advantage of the Commons' expense rules.
His replacement will inherit the role of adjudicating MPs' debates, representing Parliament to outside bodies, as well overseeing the administration of the House of Commons.
'Nothing to hide''Nothing to hide'
Ladbrokes installed Margaret Beckett, a former foreign secretary, as favourite for the post on odds of 7/4, ahead of fellow front-runners Sir George Young on 5/2 and John Bercow on 4/1. Ladbrokes tipped Ms Beckett, a former foreign secretary, as favourite for the post on odds of 7/4, ahead of fellow front-runners Sir George Young on 5/2 and John Bercow on 4/1.
William Hill had Sir George in front on 7/4, Mrs Beckett on 2/1 and Mr Bercow on 4/1, with the rest of the field trailing.William Hill had Sir George in front on 7/4, Mrs Beckett on 2/1 and Mr Bercow on 4/1, with the rest of the field trailing.
SPEAKER CANDIDATES Margaret Beckett (Lab)Sir Alan Beith (Lib Dem)John Bercow (Con)Sir Patrick Cormack (Con)Parmjit Dhanda (Lab)Sir Alan Haselhurst (Con)Sir Michael Lord (Con)Richard Shepherd (Con)Ann Widdecombe (Con)Sir George Young (Con) Speaker: Runners and ridersSPEAKER CANDIDATES Margaret Beckett (Lab)Sir Alan Beith (Lib Dem)John Bercow (Con)Sir Patrick Cormack (Con)Parmjit Dhanda (Lab)Sir Alan Haselhurst (Con)Sir Michael Lord (Con)Richard Shepherd (Con)Ann Widdecombe (Con)Sir George Young (Con) Speaker: Runners and riders
Conservative MP Richard Bacon said he did not mind who won, as long as they had cross-party support. Justice secretary Jack Straw told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show on Sunday that the new Speaker would have to restore public trust in Parliament.
"I would be perfectly content with somebody like Margaret Beckett in the chair if she got the assent across the House of Commons from different parties," Mr Bacon added.
Justice secretary Jack Straw told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that the new Speaker would have to restore public trust in Parliament.
He said: "We've got put partisan interests aside and elect a Speaker who is best placed to lead the House of Commons to a restored position of authority and trust."He said: "We've got put partisan interests aside and elect a Speaker who is best placed to lead the House of Commons to a restored position of authority and trust."
Mr Straw added that the amount of information about MPs' expenses which had been blacked out when they were released on Thursday had left a "terrible impression".Mr Straw added that the amount of information about MPs' expenses which had been blacked out when they were released on Thursday had left a "terrible impression".
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg called for a "people's Speaker" who would open up Parliament for the 21st century, but warned that whoever landed the job faced a tough task.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg called for a "people's Speaker" who would open up Parliament for the 21st century, but warned that whoever landed the job faced a tough task.
He said: "Even if we get the best speaker in the world, he or she is really going to have their work cut out.He said: "Even if we get the best speaker in the world, he or she is really going to have their work cut out.
"The vested interests at Westminster are already manoeuvring to water down reform.""The vested interests at Westminster are already manoeuvring to water down reform."
Mr Martin chose to step down after facing a motion of no confidence from MPs angry about his handling of the expenses issue and unconvinced he was the right man to lead efforts to reform Parliament. Ms Beckett has attracted some cross-party support from MPs like the Conservative Richard Bacon.
He said he would be "perfectly content" with somebody like Ms Beckett as Speaker, as long as she got the assent across the House of Commons from different parties.