Speaker Martin to Resign

Michael Martin is due to resign at 2:30 it says on all the news channels.

Pity I won't be able to see this historic moment live, I have an appointment, but I shall watch it later online.

UPDATE:

He announced he'll resign on the 21st of June. However, just to keep up the incompetence, he didn't announce whether he'll resign as an MP too, so no-one knows whether he's going to go completely, or whether he'll retire to the back benches seething with rage.

Past experience tells me he wants to hang on as MP until the next election.

I'm sure there are people as we speak trying to persuade him otherwise.

Are the Great British Public Awakening?

I never thought I'd say it, but I think for the first time in a very long time, the public are becoming politically aware. Thanks to the misdeeds being done in Parliament, the public are quite rightly angry and looking for ways of chastising MPs and sending a message. Currently the question is: what can we do about it?

Well, unfortunately, we can't sack our MPs immediately. Thats a flaw in the system that really needs to be sorted out, the same as the aparrent lack of authority MPs have for sacking the speaker Michael Martin. But thats digressing a bit.

The first thing people can do is get active and involved in politics: find your MP's email address at http://www.theyworkforyou.com There you can find out what your current MP is up to, get their email address and send them a message. Get to know them, ask them why they are voting the way they are voting, or tell them which way you want them to vote. They are your representative in Parliament, they should listen to you. If they don't, then exercise you right to hire and fire at the next election.

If you do want to do a bit of firing at the next election, then read and learn about the various candidates and their options. For those like me who hate party politics, then look at your local independant candidate. Make a decision and vote for your choice at the next general election.

A good bit of practice is coming up in the EU elections in June: if you hate the main parties, instead of voting Labour, Conservative or Liberal, check out one of the other independant parties. You have a choice of UKIP, Libertas, Green, Jury Team.... any one of a number of parties. You could even vote BNP which would give the main parties the biggest, scariest message of all.

The next general election is supposed to be next year, although I'm still adamant it will be a lot earlier. If you can't wait that long, email your MP... tell them that you can't wait until next year, you want the chance to sort things out NOW. Tell them you want them to lobby all the other MPs to push for an immediate general election. David Cameron has a petition here you can sign asking for an immediate election. Just because its a Tory site, don't be put off signing the petition. If the petition gets enough numbers, is successful and an election is called, on election day you can vote for whoever you want.

Speaker Michael Martin Clinging on by Fingerstips

I've listened to the Speaker's mealy-mouthed statement and I'm currently listening to the points of order. Michael Martin is hiding behind procedure as he gets bettered from all sides. Basically he's trying to avoid the motion of no confidence in him being debated tomorrow.

What's interesting is listening through headphones, I'm hearing voices of discontent from MPs in the background.

Michael Martin has lost the confidence of the majority of MPs. The rest of the week will be interesting as he tries to dodge the bullet.

All of this does show up how our antiquated Parliamentary procedures need reform. Lords can only be suspended, not sacked, MPs can only be re-elected, not sacked and the speaker is difficult to dislodge. Procedure needs to be changed and introduced, so that people in Parliament can be sacked mid-term if necessary.

We need some accountability in government, currently we're not getting it.

Its time to call an election and elect MPs based on their willingness to reform Parliament.