Michael Martin, the controversial Speaker of the House of Commons in the UK
has made history a number of times - including the first male speaker to abandon
the wig and the first to don flannel trousers instead of the traditional silk
stockings and knee breeches.
But Martin will also be remembered for being the first Speaker in a 300 year
history to be ousted from the role for blatant overspending of tax payers' money
and a pursuing expenses row that uncovered his double claims and other attempts
to cheat the system.
With Martin now out the picture, his successor, for the first time too, will
be elected by secret ballot.
Ladbrokes gambling site is now taking bets on the next Speaker of the
House of the Commons and the list of contenders is interesting, to say the
least.
Some of those who appear on the list were even caught up with Michaels in the
expenses row and a question mark may lie above the future of their political
careers.
Currently, Ladbrokes is listing Frank Field and Sir Alan Haselhurst as
favourites to take over the job, at 4/1, with Sir George Young listed at 6/1,
John Bercow at 8/1 and Richard Taylor at 10/1.
Obviously, there are those that Ladbrokes gives almost no chance of becoming
the next Speaker, with odds such as 50/1 for Keith Simpson and 250/1 at the
bottom of the list for Gordon Brown to take over the role.
Sir Alan Haselhurst is First Deputy Speaker and is considered a better
candidate for the job than Martin Michaels was, due to his authoritative air
that the latter perhaps lacked. Nevertheless, there are those that may not vote
for him as they seem his old-worldly ways not in line with modern, fresh
approach that many are seeking for the House of Commons.
Those looking to wager on the new Speaker should head on down to Ladbrokes
and check the up to date betting odds.
