Here's the man

Richard Shepherd MP was a contender when Martin got the Speaker's Chair. He should have had it and would have but for Labour's whips and old boys forcing their man Gorbals Mick on a protesting House at Brown's insistence. Shepherd has just made a stonking good speech on the World at One, saying that his day as a contender has passed but he is now campaigning reluctantly but vigorously against Speaker Martin because Parliament itself, 'our only democratic institution', is in grave danger and much of it is Martin's fault. He thinks it's urgent. Shepherd voted very strongly for a transparent Parliament. After his remarks today, and the dignified manner in which he made them, I think he should be dragged to the Chair as soon as possible. And Gordon Brown can go and do the other thing. He has already been plucked, stuffed and trussed. He is merely awaiting humane slaughter.