Why I think Frank Field should be speaker

By Paul Burgin / @Paul_Burgin

About three years ago, when I was young enough to be a member of the Christian Socialist Movement’s Youth Group, Frank Field came to speak at one of our meetings. What came across to me (and indeed over the past eighteen years I have known of him), is that here is a man of decency, courage, and kindness.

There are a number of MPs who are qualified to be Speaker, but in the unique times we are in regarding the expenses issue, we need an MP in the role whom we can trust, who has integrity, and who is strong enough to stand up to the executives of the main political parties. There are very few candidates who qualify on all those counts, but Frank Field is one of them.

Some may feel that he should or indeed should not be Speaker because he is a Labour MP. That is understandable, but this appointment should be decided upon because of his or her qualities and attitudes, not their politics. Some within the Labour Party feel that Frank Field is not ideal because of his disagreements with Gordon Brown, but he is capable of being neutral, as well as having a strong sense of duty. In any case James Callaghan and George Thomas had tensions in their relationship (once close friends) and Margaret Thatcher and Bernard Weatherill did not exactly see eye to eye when Weatherill was her Deputy Chief Whip in Opposition. This did not undermine the Speaker’s ability to do his job.

I can understand the temptation for Whips from any political party in the Commons to want the Speaker to be one of their own, as at least then they know they haven’t got a Speaker who is biased against them. Those times are past. More than ever we need a Speaker who is for the backbenchers, who has integrity and independence of mind, who makes his mark on the Commons and stands up for decency and connection with the public above all. Now is the time for MPs to examine their consciences and take risks and who can connect with the public. I believe that man is Frank Field.

Frank, if you are reading this, we need you. You have cross-party support; you are respected. Take this chance, put your name forward and help us clean up Westminster and help re-ignite people’s faith in the political process. It will be difficult, but you have our support.