BBC Four's 'On expenses' - not to miss!

The undervalued (and underfunded) BBC Four shall screen what I suspect shall be a cracking political drama this week.

In essence, it marks the battle between Freedom of Information Requests (something I've become a particular fan of recently) and the battle for MPs to be exempt from 'their' own laws.

Anna Maxwell Martin plays journalist and campaigner Heather Brooke, whose tenacious investigations brought about the disclosure of MPs' expenses, much to the annoyance of Michael Martin (Brian Cox).

The drama is set to be broadcast on BBC Four, at 9pm on Tuesday 23rd February.

John Bercow is elected speaker.

Update: Well, it appears as though Sir George did rather better than expected. Still beaten by John Bercow though.

Still, I did rather find myself siding with the 'anyone but Beckett' camp, something which became painfully apparent after the second round of voting.

Bercow faces an enormous challenge; that is undeniable. But, for tonight, let the pomp and circumstance continue.

If Beckett is elected it will be a sad day.

Well, we're now in the final furlong to elect a new Speaker of the House.

If, as the Bookies are predicting, Margaret Beckett is elected it shall be sad day for the back-benches and, in my opinion, Parliament at large.

The government lap-dog shall face a crisis in public opinion unprecedented in recent political history. Expect one of the most controversial speakers' elections of modern times. If she can muster the support of more than 50% of the House, then I strongly doubt she'll be the person to drive support through for greater reform.

For my money, I'd personally like to see Alan Haselhurst elected. YouTube him, he seems a sound choice!

Beckett now bookies favourite

Depressingly, Political Betting are reporting that Margaret Beckett is now the favourite to assume the title of Madam Speaker.

It comes despite new reports from the Telegraph which, again, reiterates the degree of Beckett et als involvement in the expenses scandal. None of the candidates have been 'whiter than white'.

Still, like last Wednesday, what strikes me amongst the claims is the sheer costs of items claimed. Just where are you buying £1000 worth of plants?

Redacting this week

This week has been another of high politics.

The feeling of lunging from one crisis to another has set not just with the government but with Parliament itself. Domestic politics seemed to cover old ground, u-turns, Iraq and MPs expenses. Foreign Affairs have also demonstrated a high-point in politics, demonstrations in Tehran, new agreements in Ireland on the Lisbon Treaty and even the Grande Dame of French politics, Mrs Chiraq, keeping the husband in line.

The announcement, at the start of this week, of an inquiry into the Iraq War was interesting in several respects. For Gordon's own reputation it was perhaps damaging. It demonstrated he had held no consultation with own, let alone others, party.

The nature of the inquiry, in private and by a Privy Council body, did no favours for the idea of openness and transparency. The later u-turn, agreeing that parts of the inquiry could be held in public, came after a heavy and largely unprecedented measure of criticism from leading former civil servents and former Army high brass itself.

Speaker Martin's final days have also done little for the reputation of MPs. The delicious hypocrocy of Cameron et al praising his abilities seemed at odds with the line taken only a few weeks ago.

Speaking of Speaker Martin, the man effectively in charge of the House, I wondered if he knew of the process of redaction. Most MPs vermentally assert they had no knowledge of the sheer level of black ink that would be applied to receipt and forms themselves. This again seems a contradiction to the idea of openess in Parliament.

However, this proves crucial in understanding the expenses scandal. Aside from police investigating several MPs, the process of redaction demonstrates that MPs have not been able to largely regulate themselves. The House authorities seem, at no point, to have grasped the seriousness of the level of public distrust and anger, and continue to be blistfully unaware.

Turning to Iran, Martin Amos, the author and poet, made an ominous prediction on the BBC's This Week. The strength of force in Tehran plays, he said, a crucial role.

Indeed, the old guard have so far with held back from a full on assault, perhaps cautious of the lessons of the Revolutionary Bodies own history, emerging from the over-throw of a deeply unpopular ruler. In the coming days and weeks, particular after the intervention of the Supreme Leader, it shall be interesting to see how authorites, and protestors, re-act.

The country now risks being very close to completely overthrowing the Islamic system all together or again surpressing the voices of a very considerable proportion.

Who knows what next week could only hold...

Speaker Beckett?

This weekend, in the strongest signal yet of fear amongst the Labour ranks, former Housing Minister Margaret Beckett predicted a hung parliament.

Writing in The Times, Beckett displays the arrogant tone she has taken to adopting ever since her 'arrival' as Foreign Secretary in the dying days of the Blair government.

Her objective, to me, seems amazingly transparent. In emphasising the current predictions of doom and gloom Beckett hopes to further her stated ambition of becoming the Common's speaker.

What was it that Thatcher said about the oxygen of publicity?

Beckett's attempts at self promotion aside, she would be ill placed as a speaker for a new Parliament. Throughout the previous 12 years Beckett has remained a loyal backbencher, whip and minister. Unlike some of her notable counter-parts she has never, to date, criticised Government policy or personalities. Topped with the news that she herself also has questions surrounding the MPs expenses saga and it becomes a CV heading straight for the rejected pile.

No, she would not be 'best placed' (as she says) to reform and work with who-ever takes the top job. Saying all this, either are much of the other candidates...

Well, leaving aside the election of the speaker, Beckett's comments are interesting.

Predicting a hung Parliament has been something of a echo since as early as 2005. I suspect it would be no bad thing for our democracy to once again see a hung Parliament. The working of Cameron, a future Labour leader and possibly even Clegg could be the shot in the arm the country needs, seeing democractic renewal before their eyes. It could, just as easily, casade in one big infurno of political hustings and leave the 'real issues of the day' outside.

Political analysis have a proved record of getting wrong but I suspect, at the minimum, a smaller Conservative majority as a winner party with negotiations crucial for the future...

Speakers and Parliaments aside, how much longer should we continue to run with the 'Night of the Plastic Spoons' header? We has predicted taking it down on Friday but, in the words of Prime Minister Mandelson, 'there continues to be elements plotting Brown's downfall'.