David Maddox: Whither Paul Martin?
Anybody who heard Speaker Michael Martin's statement to the Commons a few minutes ago will know that he is holding on desperately to his job and his seat.But one interesting question it raises up here is on the future of his son, Glasgow Springburn MSP Paul Martin (pictured right).
It has long been open gossip in Holyrood that the Speaker was hoping to pass on his Glasgow North East seat to his son. If it were true it would seem to be an example of the sort of self-interested practice which has come under question in recent days.
The question is now whether the constituency party would want to now put the Speaker's son in his place given the bad publicity that is now attached to the Martin name, although that has absolutely nothing to do with Paul Martin.
And if the Speaker does step down and as a result quits as an MP, which many think would be the inevitable consequence, then who would want to fight Glasgow North East for Labour?
Given what happened in Glasgow East and the recent opinion polls added to the lower level of damage to the Nationalists than Labour from the expenses scandal, would all point to another by-election victory for the SNP.
Labels: David Maddox, Glasgow North East, Michael Martin, MPs expenses scandal, Paul Martin, Speaker
posted by Administrator at
15:54
3 Comments:
I thought Paul Martin has previously stated that he doesn't want to run for the Westminister Seat....
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Fair point, but it had not stopped the speculation. It was seen as akin to Caesar saying he did not want the crown (in the Shakespeare version) - David
I still think that his son would get in. Vox Pops in Springburn have shown that they think he's been a good MP. I dunno, I've never even been there, but it looks like the pits from the motorway. But all the little old wifies seem to think he was a braw man, who "....said good morning to you in the street"....
Oh well, I guess he must be OK then if he's gracious enough to say good morning to 'ordinary' people.
Seriously that shows a certain mentality, which, whilst it may not be shared by all the constituents, is reasonably widespread.
I rather suspect that this is one of the places where no matter from what height they pea on the locals, Labour will always win. (Of course the Tories have these places too, just not in Scotland!!)
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