There's none so blind...

...as those who will not see. Far from making things any better, Speaker Martin's statement this afternoon (Monday, 18th May, 2009) actually made things worse. Where were the other two monkeys with paws over their ears and mouths respectively? His comment that "We all bear a heavy responsibility for the terrible damage to the reputation of this House." And his resolve to "...do everything we possibly can to regain the trust and confidence of the people" were nothing short of an insult. I've stated before that British Parliamentary democracy has endured a steady and growing assault over the past 30 years. A good Speaker would have turned this tide, defending the rights of the back-benchers in the teeth of the bullying whips, apparatchiks and power-drunk party leaders. A fair Speaker would have raised the issue of Parliamentary process with those able to bring change; the Inghams and Campbells, Wheelers and Drapers, Grandees and Union Barons of this world. But Speaker Martin is neither of these. His time in the venerable office will go down as an unmitigated failure. I'm less bothered about expenses - the excellent work of Heather Brooke and the Telegraph in utilising the Freedom of Information Act having surfaced that one. But what I do care passionately about is his failure to restore - or even slow the erosion of - the sovereignty of MY Parliament. The Parliament my people fought to establish. The Parliament my people fought to protect. The Parliament my people have been effectively excluded from by the money and power-grubbing political class. For shame! He should go and go now. But with a massive payoff to look forward to if he can cling on until the election, there has to be virtually no chance of that.