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Two left in Commons Speaker race Two left in Commons Speaker race
(10 minutes later)
Tory MP John Bercow has topped the second round of voting for the new Commons Speaker but his Tory colleague Sir George Young is picking up votes.Tory MP John Bercow has topped the second round of voting for the new Commons Speaker but his Tory colleague Sir George Young is picking up votes.
No-one has yet received 50% of votes so process continues with a third round but Tory veteran Ann Widdecombe, who got just 30 votes, has been eliminated.No-one has yet received 50% of votes so process continues with a third round but Tory veteran Ann Widdecombe, who got just 30 votes, has been eliminated.
Margaret Beckett, Sir Alan Beith and Sir Alan Haselhurst also dropped out after second round votes were tallied.Margaret Beckett, Sir Alan Beith and Sir Alan Haselhurst also dropped out after second round votes were tallied.
Mr Bercow got 221 votes in the second round while Sir George got 174.Mr Bercow got 221 votes in the second round while Sir George got 174.
In the earlier ballot Mr Bercow polled 179 to Sir George's 112 votes, a lead of 67. In the second round both increased their votes but the gap narrowed to 47.
Speaking outside the Commons Ann Widdecombe said she did not want to speculate about why she had not got enough votes but said she would be voting for Sir George Young, as the more "unifying" candidate.
But she said: "It's too close to call - at this moment people are talking about less than 10 votes between the two candidates."
Margaret Beckett had received 70 votes while Sir Alan Beith and Sir Alan Haselhurst, received 46 and 57 votes respectively.Margaret Beckett had received 70 votes while Sir Alan Beith and Sir Alan Haselhurst, received 46 and 57 votes respectively.