Nigel Farage may have grabbed the headlines when he announced he was breaking centuries of Parliamentary convention and challenging Speaker Bercow for the seat of Buckingham.  Much chatter has remained about the possibility of an Independent Candidate emerging to challenge them both.  Independent candidates could play a big role in the next election as anger continues over MP’s expenses and with Parliament failing to sanction tough action against some of the worst offenders, fury remains in the country at large.  Speaker Bercow announced this week that MP’s who ‘flipped’ their second homes to maximise their expenses or avoided paying capital gains tax will escape censure under the Official House of Commons enquiry.  That means MP’s like Elliot Morley and David Chaytor who claimed thousands for ‘phantom mortgages’ have been given the all clear by Sir Thomas Legg.  Oh and another ‘flipper’, John Bercow, wont be penalised…worth mentioning that!

Today’s guest blog is from Patrick Phillips, the man that both Bercow and Farage will come to hear much more from in the coming weeks and months.  It goes without saying that come election results night, Buckingham will certainly be a Constituency that the media will be keeping a close eye on and reporting widely.  When Patrick got in touch telling me he was standing and the reasons why, it made sense for a Guest Blog so you readers could hear his story and pass your own judgement.  A story of how a Conservative voter felt he needed to take action.   Over to you Patrick…….

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Yes.  Michael Martin, former discredited Speaker of the House of Commons.

Shameful!

The man who tried to cover up the expenses scandal.  The man who presided over a corrupt House and did nothing.

No moral justice in this world that he now gets rewarded with a Peerage and a seat in the House of Lords.

The man to clean up Politics and ensure we get value for money…has hired a personal spin doctor for £100,000….on the British tax payers!  You could not even make this one up!  Sometimes I wonder if we are being taken for fools.  Is Bercow deliberately trying to make us hate him?

Why oh why does The Speaker of the House of Commons need a personal spin doctor?  Do you see this as value for money?  This is the first time a Speaker has ever employed a ’special advisor’.

The Daily Telegraph reports that: Tim Hames, a former Times journalist, will be paid paid between £87,000 and £107,000 a year to work as the Speaker’s “special adviser”. Among his duties will be raising Bercow’s personal profile.  Hames duties will include the creation of a “broader external role for the Speaker”. He will also assist the Speaker in framing hte Commons response to recommendations on MP’s Expenses made by Sir Christopher Kelly, the sleaze watchdog.

I cant see this washing well with the public.  As Cameron challenges with anything like this.  Does it feel right for the public?  Does it pass the public snift test?  I think not!  Do you?

Any reader of this site knows I am not a fan of Speaker Bercow.  I have been critical of his election to the role, (by majority of Labour MP’s and very few Conservative supporters), his changing of the traditions of Parliament, (eg Speaker’s dressage and plans for upheaving centuries of tradition with new procedures in the House), and his attitude in the role, (very patronising and arrogant).  I also frown on the way he has treated the Conservative Party.  It is well rumoured he was planning a defection to the Labour Party and the seismic shift in his political philosophy from right of Thatcher surging faster than Usian Bolt at full stride…to the Left, is either the greater conversion ever on the road to Damascus or purely political opportunism.  You decide.  So I struggle to have any loyalty to a man who I perceive did not treat our Party honourably in recent years.  Please correct me if I am wrong in my views.

So news come today that Nigel Farage, MEP and Leader of UKIP will be standing against Speaker Bercow at the next election in Buckingham.  A tough act for Farage given it is one of the safest Conservative Seats in the country with a Majority of 13,325.  Readers will know that I suggested that Esther Rantzen would be better positioned to challenge Bercow than stand in Luton.  There are also credible rumours of an Independent Conservative standing for the seat.

By convention, no Party fields a candidate against a sitting Speaker.  But Farage is going to break that convention.

Nigel told the Daily Telegraph today: “This man represents all that is wrong with British politics today. He was embroiled in the expenses saga and he presides over a Parliament that virtually does nothing. He is not a Conservative and yet he is sitting in one of the safest Conservative seats in the country. It means the people of Buckingham cannot vote for a Conservative even if they want to. This is a part of England where we did very well in the European elections and local elections. We are very well organised and strong and I intend to fight this very hard to become the MP.”

This makes it a whole new ball game.  Labour and Lib Dems will now have to consider their response and whether to field candidates.

This makes it hard for us Conservatives.  I am sure the Conservative Leadership would value the chance for fresh Speakership elections in the new Parliament, hence having more say in the role, than the mockery of a Bercow, elected by pure Labour vindictiveness to elect a Speaker they knew us Conservatives would not want. 

So, Bercow is now in effect an Independent candidate.  Whilst he came from the Conservative Party, he no longer speaks with a Conservative tongue.  He cannot as he has to remain neutral.  Therefore, as Farage is standing, the people of Buckingham now have the beginning of choice.  Other parties may follow.  If Labour and the Lib Dems follow suit and decide to field candidates, then the only Party with no voice is the Conservatives.  How bizarre is that?   Bercow is technically Conservative but will not be representing the Party as he has to now remain neutral.  So perhaps we have to consider fielding a true Conservative candidate.  This will undermine Bercow and may be in danger of splitting the Conservative vote.  But that is a decision for Cameron to take.

Oh how I wish Dan Hannan could throw his hat into the ring.

If you were a voter in Buckingham, and the choice boiled purely down to Bercow and Farage, which way would you go?  Whilst I am Conservative to the core, (voted Conservative all my life)…I can see why people will be mightily tempted to vote Farage.  If they do, should we see that as disloyalty? 

As we all know, Esther Rantzen still intends to stand at the next election, in Luton South, following the local MP Margaret Moran standing down after she was caught up in the tornado of MP’s expense claims and sleaze.  However Esther’s strategy is now badly misconstrued.  Margaret Moran is going.  Vanishing into the distance.  Her cause there is no more.  What will be left is a selection of honourable candidates in Luton South, representing all parties, standing in 2010 for a new look Parliament.  I could not speak more highly of the integrity and ethics of the Conservative PPC Nigel Huddleston.  A man who typifies the new Parliament and should be elected to take his seat on the green benches. But Esther’s campaign is left rudderless in this constituency.

Hence, if Esther really is passionate about representing the people and championing a new look Parliament, her time may be best served standing in a seat where she can make a real difference.  Test real ethics.  Send a strong message across the nation.  What better way than standing against John Bercow at the next election?

By Parliamentary convention, political Parties, (major political Parties), do not field candidates against the Speaker of the House of Commons.  The Speaker, by tradition, has a free run into the next Parliament. 

As Speaker Bercow consistently demonstrates, traditions are there to be changed.  He has already decided to move away from established traditions in his office.  Whilst I abide by the tradition that the major Poilitical Parties should not field a candidate against Bercow, there is absolutely no reason why Esther Rantzen should not stand against him in Buckingham.

Given Bercow has stated that he wishes to be the man leading the clean up of British Politics, Esther can campaign in Buckingham on this very issue.  She can test public approval for the work that Bercow is doing.  Is he going far enough in his cleaning up of Parliament?  Does his own reputation feel right as the person leading the charge on behalf of MP’s?  Surely this matches more closely the ideals and goals that Esther herself set when she initially announced she was to stand against Margaret Moran?  Bercow will not be happy with this suggestion but in the words of Esther…..’That’s Life’!

Esther would do well to remember that John Bercow himself was caught up in the expenses claim furore.  The Daily Telegraph disclosed that Bercow “flipped” the designation of his second home between London and his constituency when he sold two houses in the space of a year, enabling him to avoid paying capital gains tax (CGT) on the profits from either sale.   Bercow denied any wrongdoing but repaid £6,508 plus VAT to HM Revenue & Customs to cover the tax he could have been asked to pay on the sale of one of the homes.  He also paid back £1,470.62 that he claimed on his office expenses for accountants’ services in helping him complete his tax return.  Bercow has claimed close to the maximum second home allowance in each of the past four years.  His files show he charged taxpayers £1,050 most months in mortgage interest payments on the property, as well as £350 on service charges. In January 2008 he claimed £1,327 for repairs to the central heating that included the supply of a “digital wireless room thermostat”. He also claimed £264 for plumbing and £933 for repairs to his bathroom and a sink.  And as disclosed today, he has ordered a series of alterations, redecoration and new furnishings for his rent-free home in the Palace of Westminster, including a new £7,500+ sofa!

Does this all feel right from the man cleaning up politics?  Does Bercow pass the fabled Cameron public test of does ’that feels right’. 

The people at the next election of Buckingham have NO CHOICE about Speaker Bercow if no other candidates stand against him.  These are special times….shouldn’t they be allowed that choice…a voice to be heard.  Maybe Esther will rally to their cause.

The voice of the people can be heard Esther.  Would this not be a better use of your campaigning zeal?  Even if your announcement to stand is a PR stunt and you don’t intend to stand in Luton South, surely the PR of standing against the Speaker, further enhances your reason to stand here and generate the PR you thrive on.  (And you will just love Buckingham).

If of course Esther would win the seat, (and the odds would be high), then new elections for the office of Speaker would have to take place.  Another useful taste of democracy for the new Parliament, (which will be radically different from the make up of this Parliament).

Awaiting your response Esther……:)  I am sure the people of Buckingham would love to hear your views and would treat you as nicely, if not better, than the constituents of Luton South!  They of course only have the one candidate and choice to them may be just what the doctor ordered! 

I have to admit I was in two minds posting this article.  I have in the past been accused of attacking and disagreeing with Speaker Bercow on a too frequent basis.  Hence I thought long and hard about another critical post.  But this issue has annoyed me so much it shows that the ‘man who will clean up politics’ is desperately out of touch with reality.  So much so I had to pinch myself that this was a real story and not a joke.

When reading this story, please remember three things.  1) John Bercow has had a hefty payrise from £64,766 to £144,520, (his full potential salary but he maybe claiming the same as Speaker Martin of £141,868 but Bercow is refusing to reveal, hence lets presume the higher figure as he feels embarrassed to disclose).  Hence this is an increase in his pay of: £79,794.  (More than double!).  2) John has an apartment just down the road from the House, (which he used to claim 2nd homes allowance for but has now stopped).  3) The Speaker’s Apartment he now resides in is rent free.  That paints the scene.

Lead story in the Daily Telegraph today, (where else ), is the Speaker is having his lavish grace-and-favour apartment, (ie freebie),  in the Palace of Westminster refurbished at a cost of £20,659.36 to the tax payer.  Yes this is the man who in the wake of the expenses row promised to clean up the reputation of politics.

Bercow to his credit stopped claiming for his second home allowance, (no need really with a grace-and-favour freebie apartment in the Palace).  John claims that the costs of refurbishment are because he has a young family and needs to child proof his home, hence a study in the grand apartment, is being converted to a playroom.

A playroom in the Speaker’s Apartments.  This begs some interesting questions.  Speaker Bercow is presuming he will be the Speaker post the next election, otherwise why make these changes now?  He has a perfectly good apartment just down the road from the House, where his kids will have a great home environment already fostered.  So why the need to make changes now?  There is a chance he may not be in the role after the election.  Maybe a new Speaker in 10 months time would not want kids playrooms and then charge the tax payer to re-convert them back!  What a waste.  What a poor sense of timing!

Many would question John’s timing.  He obviously, the moment he was elected Speaker, set straight about altering and improving the Speaker’s Apartments.  The Daily Telegraph shows that the work listed below has been completed and the Speaker is in the process of claiming expenses.  Hence John was making changes the moment he was elected to the role. 

The other element of timing is of course related to the furore of MP’s expenses.  It is a poor sense of timing and sullies the public’s mood still further.  Can the Speaker not read the will of the people?  Surely he could have waited until after the election before making changes…ensuring he is still in the role of Speaker.  Of course ideally he would pay for these changes himself, like we would all have to!

We have a very mobile society.  People go to where jobs are nowadays.  Some companies provide relocation assistance, most don’t.  Hence, Bercow claiming for these changes to help his kids at the cost to the tax payer, wont wash with many.  Can you imagine relocating for a new job and telling your new boss, I need some extra money to make my house child friendly?  You would be laughed out the room.  So why different for Bercow?  This is public daylight robbery.  Dishonourable actions!……

So, I take literally David Cameron’s public test ie would these expenses feel right to the tax payer?  Do they make sense?  No….they stink.  First off he has received a significant pay rise and has a higher net disposable income.  His new apartment is rent free.  He will state he has the costs of running his current apartment just down the road to maintain.  But given he has decided to live at the House he will not incur the costs he previously would ie electricity, wear & tear / depreciation etc!. 

Let’s turn to value for money.  Is he spending tax payer’s money well?  Well, the Daily Telegraph reports a receipt for £7,524.30 for a new sofa and window seat cushions for the drawing room.  Hhhhhmmmm.  That does not feel so good to me.  Perhaps John should make use of the sale at DFS and he could buy a lovely Clarion 4 Seater Leather Corner Manual Double Recliner for £998, as below.  Great for the kids as well as the seats recline.  Of course leather, just as John likes!  But guess what John.  Given your new payrise, you have more take home pay and hence like the rest of the population, buy it yourself.

Remember these apartments are hardly in a state of decrepitation.  Speaker Martin spent £724,000 on refurbishment between 2000-2008, plus £992,000 on the garden and improved security.

So what else is Bercow claiming for?

£3,600 has been spent on fitting locks to the windows and having workmen check that access ducts in the wall panelling are lockable or childproof.

A further £3,880 has been spent on planters to provide additional child safety on the terrace.

One of the two studies is to become a playroom, with £1,087 spent on redecorating it. The note suggests putting washable paint over existing paper.

For the drawing room, a £6,764.30 sofa suite has been ordered, together with window seat cushions costing £760.

In the kitchen, a new large clock is being provided at a cost of £80, together with a noticeboard and blackboard, costing £86.73, a hob guard at £47.88 and an additional high-level pulley clothes airer.

The utility room is being remodelled at a cost of £497 in order to provide more hanging space. The floor in the room, and in the bathroom, is being replaced.

A double bed is being bought from Ikea for the housekeeper’s apartment for £479.

It is understood that a further £20,000 has been allocated to cover general maintenance.

John needs to desperately raise his game and stop taking the British taxpayer for a ride.  I was heavily critical of Speaker Martin.  But boy, I am wishing he was still in office.  Speaker Bercow has so far not brought any honour to the great office of Speaker…….