Sir Alan Beith comes clean on laundry expenses

Jun 22 2009 by William Green, The Journal

As 10 MPs today vie to be elected the next Speaker of the Commons, political editor William Green takes a look at the only North East candidate’s expenses, the rest of the runners and riders and the process itself.

Tension and drama in the corridors of power

Q Who can stand as a candidate for Speaker?

A Any MP can put themselves forward once nominations open at 9.30am. They will need to secure the backing of 12-15 other MPs including at least three members of a party other than their own.

Q What will happen in the Commons today?

A The Commons authorities expect to publish a list of candidates with the required level of backing at around 11am. They will then get the chance to make their case to MPs when the House sits at 2.30pm.

Q Who runs the proceedings given that the Speaker has quit?

A The Father of the House - the longest serving MP - Alan Williams will preside.

Q What happens when the House of Commons sits?

A Each candidate will be given the chance to explain why they should be elected. Then the voting begins, using a procedure known as "exhaustive secret ballot". MPs put a cross next to their chosen candidate on a voting slip, which is then placed in a sealed ballot box. After half an hour the polls close, the boxes are opened and counting begins.

To be elected, a candidate must secure 50% of the vote. If the first ballot does not produce a clear winner then the candidate with the fewest votes, and any with less than 5% of the vote, are eliminated.

Voting continues - through as many rounds as necessary - until someone reaches the 50% mark. When the winner is announced he or she will then be "dragged" to the chair with a show of reluctance, as is traditional.

Q With transparency and openness being political buzzwords, why is the election secret?

A If the new Speaker does not know who voted for - or against - them, they will not face allegations of bias in the way they treat MPs.