As Michael Martin concedes that the game is up, attention shifts to the list
of his potential successors. One thing is clear: the personal qualities of the
new Speaker, especially his or her attitude to expenses (the new proxy for
decency and integrity) will override all party political considerations.
Rachel Sylvester in today's Times believes that the balance of power has shifted away from organisations and towards individuals, because we've lost faith in institutions and will no longer defer to elites.Certainly Michael Martin has discovered to his cost that he cannot rely on the protection afforded by deference to his office. But Sylvester omits an important point: that the reason why we are reluctant to accept the authority of institutions is because the holders of office have abused their position. This is not about institutional failure, but personal failure. Institutions which still command popular respect do so because of the personal qualities of those who represent them, the Queen being a conspicuous example.
Rebuilding public trust in politicians will be dependent on their personal conduct. But the ultimate objective of those politicians must be to gain respect for Parliament, rather than the pursuit of individual success. The health – indeed, the survival - of a free society depends on the strength of its institutions. Yes, the new Speaker should have a clean expenses record. But he (or she) must first and foremost believe in the institutional significance of the office of Speaker and the sovereignty of parliament.
