The Young One

On the 18th of May, before Michael Martin stood down, I tipped Sir George Young as the next speaker of the House of Commons. Way back (about 4 weeks ago) I said...

“It’s been Labour twice I would think that this time it would fall to a conservative. It needs to be one of the elders of the house and someone who is untouched by the expense fallout – or better yet someone who has been on the side of cleaning things up and who has been actively transparent in their dealings with their own expenses. Only Sir George Young really fits these criteria.

Young has been in Parliament for over 30 years, served as a Minister under Thatcher, in opposition has been shadow leader of the house and is currently the chair of the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges. As chair of this committee it was he who brought the motion urging that the review of Sir Christopher Kelly should be allowed to determine its proposals for the future of MPs allowances.

Have a wee look at this website – his life, career and expenses are an open book. A lot of this falls into the category of ‘too much information’ but it is there for the world to see. Young was in the frame for the Speaker’s job last time round and I suspect that he will be selected this time round.”

The machinations to get the post of speaker have been far from palatable and have shown the Commons at its worst. The two leading contenders, Beckett and Bercow, have both been dragged through the expenses saga – it seems that both are being touted by ‘Labour sources’.

Young has been briefed against as being ‘an old Etonian’. Which is as disappointing and depressing as Michal Martin being mocked as ‘Gorbals Mick’. He is a dull and steady chap – which is fine, the House needs someone who can clear up the mess of the system they have, not someone who could appear on ‘Have I Got News for You’.

The only other person is the running who would be on a par would be another Tory grandee Sir Patrick Cormack (Cormack is also untainted by the expenses row). Had Cormack not been standing down at the next election I may have tipped him over Young, but he is planning to retire so Young would be the chap.

While I suspect me and Young would not see eye to eye politically I do think that of the options available he is the best person for the job.