Amid all the debate in the broadcast and print media about the Speaker of the House of Commons there is one thing that is very noticeable - the total lack of substantial criticism of the Speaker from Members of Parliament on all sides. Even the very annoying, but dogged, little Norman Baker could not bring himself to engage in any criticism when interviewed on the BBC last Wednesday. Yet no MP one speaks to in private has much good to say about Mr Martin.
Mr Martin, very evenly balanced with a chip on both shoulders, likes to deflect the criticism of him accusing his detractors of class motivation. Well I was born on the Falls Road in Belfast (albeit because that is where the maternity unit in Belfast is) and I don't care about class, colour, or sexual orientation one jot. But I do care about talent and ability and the truth is that Mr Martin has neither. There have been fun moments over recent years watching his inability to command the House, his total reliance on the clerks in front of him and his Scottish Prescotian mangling of the English language. But is has now ceased to be remotely funny.
The reputation of Parliament is on the line and with it the credibility of politics. This is one of those rare defining moments that are so often talked about but are seldom as important as they are pronounced. As we watch his spokesman resign today because someone fed him porkies about who was in the cab with the Speaker's wife as she scuttled round London in taxis paid for by the taxpayer it is now clear beyond measure that this is not the man to spearhead the restoration of the reputation of the House of Commons.
There is no clearly defined way of removing a Speaker from office. Hence the silence from our MPs who fear the wrath of our Speaker and the loss of speaking rights should they say in public what they say in private. But if they all said it together he could exact no revenge. Would he call not a single Member of speak because as far I can tell the view on Mr Martin is universal? Its time for our colleagues in Parliament to realise there is strength in numbers. Organise a delegation composed of senior members on all sides of the House and tell him the game is up. And then crack on with a new Speaker and restore the reputation of the House of Commons and our national politics. This really is one of the those defining moments.
