 | 'Last night, Stewart Hosie, the SNP backbencher who is running his party's campaign in Glasgow North East, told The Herald: "It's outrageous. The people of Norwich can elect their MP in a few weeks' time but people in Glasgow North East have to wait five months until November." He added: "Labour are desperate to avoid a humiliating result. They have kicked it into the long grass simply hoping something will come up."' Michael Settle in the Herald, 1 st July 2009. |  |
Michael Martin, the former Commons Speaker, was on course last night to become Lord Martin of Springburn after the Queen gave the green light to his ennoblement.
The honour immediately sparked criticism from parliamentarians who believe the ex-Glasgow North East MP let down Westminster after becoming the first Speaker in 300 years to be ousted from the prestigious post.
The previous postholder to be ousted was Sir John Trevor, who was expelled in March 1695 for accepting a bribe from the Corporation of
Lord Lawson, the former Conservative Chancellor, who previously accused Mr Martin of failing parliamentary democracy, said: "It's a great mistake. It's unfortunate." Lord Oakeshott, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman, added: "This looks like automatic reward for failure."
However, some MPs believe the former Scottish MP was "scapegoated" over the expenses scandal. One criticised those who forced Mr Martin out, saying: "They could not abide the fact that he was Scottish, working-class and Catholic."
In a largely unnoticed move, MPs passed an uncontested motion at around 10pm a week last Monday after John Bercow succeeded Mr Martin as Speaker, to ask the Queen to "be most graciously pleased to confer some signal mark of her royal favour upon the Right Honourable Mr Michael J Martin for his eminent services during the important period in which he presided with such distinguished ability and dignity in the Chair of this House".
This week Helen Jones, a government whip, confirmed to MPs that Mr Martin, 63, would receive a peerage after the Queen agreed to the Commons request. Although the actual award was not mentioned, the same form of words was used before Betty Boothroyd received her peerage.
Meanwhile, Labour HQ was lambasted by the SNP after senior party sources suggested that the by-election in Glasgow North East would take place on November 5 or 12, the latter looking the likeliest date.
Party chiefs apparently ruled out holding one over the summer because they feared turnout would be affected by voters being on holiday.
By coincidence, yesterday the government moved the writ for the Norwich North by-election, expected to take place on July 23.
Last night, Stewart Hosie, the SNP backbencher who is running his party's campaign in Glasgow North East, told The Herald: "It's outrageous. The people of Norwich can elect their MP in a few weeks' time but people in Glasgow North East have to wait five months until November." He added: "Labour are desperate to avoid a humiliating result. They have kicked it into the long grass simply hoping something will come up."
David Mundell, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, was equally critical, saying: "This shows how tired, gutless and obsessed with its own survival this Labour government has become. There is no valid reason for the government to delay the Glasgow North East by-election until the autumn. Six weeks ago Michael Martin announced he was standing down, two weeks before the MP for Norwich North."
He added: "It is simply Labour knows that even its traditional heartlands in Scotland aren't safe. The Prime Minister's rhetoric about strengthening Parliament has again been brushed aside in favour of the interests of his party."
A spokesman for Labour insisted that "no date has been set" for the Glasgow by-election but that it would be "later rather than sooner". He said talk of November was "speculation".
While Mr Martin's majority was 10,134, Labour's in Norwich is 5459. The latter contest was forced by the resignation of Scot Ian Gibson amid the expenses row.
Chloe Smith, the Tory candidate for Norwich North, said after the writ was moved: "People finally have a great opportunity to vote for change."
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