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[Suedehead2]

The government announced tonight that there will be a short debate tomorrow (26 March, the last sitting day before the election) on the election of a Speaker at the beginning of a new parliament. Traditionally, there has been a vote in the usual way (MPs trooping through the Division lobbies). Again, traditionally, MPs have voted overwhelmingly to re-elect the previous Speaker.

The Tories want to change this. They want the ballot to be held in secret. It is well-known that many Tories dislike the incumbent, John Bercow. They think he has made life too difficult for the government. His supporters are more likely to say that he has worked as the servant of the House, not the government. In other words, he has done his job.

In his last act before retiring as an MP, William Hague will be proposing this change tomorrow with a very short debate. All Tory MPs have been summoned to a meeting before the debate whereas many Labour MPs have already returned to their constituencies on the assumption that nothing of any consequence would be happening tomorrow. To their utter shame, it seem that the Lib Dems have agreed to this although Nick Clegg himself will be absent for the vote.

There may well be a case for changing the procedure. Regardless, this should only happen after a proper debate. It should not happen after a brief debate held at a few hours' notice.