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[£3.73]

[Sheik Yir Erse]

Not really sure what your point is Bill? But a slightly alternative view......

Your constant references to Anderston seem to be implying he has no right to anything he's achieved?

As Speaker of the House he lives in a lavish grace and favour flat within Westminster

As Speaker of the House he got to live in the same state-owned property that every Speaker has lived in for many years. Was there an issue when Betty Boothroyd and Bernard Wetherill stayed in it? The house is part and parcel of the role, that's like finding fault with Barrack Obama for living in the Whitehouse

Not bad for a guy from Anderston.

So because he's from Anderston he shouldn't accept this, should he live in a high-rise?

While on trips back to Glasgow he has been known to hire a chauffeur driven motor to take him to his beloved Parkhead ,at the taxpayers expense.He has also been known to pop into the local job centre arriving in the same said chauffeur motor.

There's alot of "been known's" in there, so I'm guessing more heresay than fact?? Popping into the local Job Centre, sounds like the work of an MP if you ask me?

Lets not forget the many overseas trip paid for once again by the taxpayer to such exotic locations as Hawaii/New York/Bahamas/Rome and New Zealand, and ofcourse always accompanied by his wife. A total of 16 trips in all were claimed on his expenses.

Surely that was part of his role, and he'd be on Government business? When I go on business trips overseas - my company pays for this, and on the occasions when my wife has had to accompany me - they pay for that too! I've worked in many perceived 'exotic' locations and seldom seen the outside of an office or hotel.

Finally in December of last year he negotiated himself a £1.4 million pension, which will give him in the region of £90,000 per annum.

So (and I'll assume your figures are correct) he negotiated a pension last year which would probably pay less than 70% of his final salary (on the basis that he would realistically have expected to be in office for at least another 5-8 years) Therefore I'm not sure that figure is as ridiculous as you make it sound? But I forgot he's from Anderston, so he's not really entitled to have achieved any of this.

To re-iterate I'm not saying he was in any way free from wrong-doing, but if he has to go for all the above 'crimes', then surely they should ALL be resigning? You can't just have one rule for him! Hence, in my opinion, Scapegoat

Just a different take on things, but I'm guessing we'll agree to differ on this one

[bill]

but I'm guessing we'll agree to differ on this one

Ah weel Sheik at least you got one thing right.

[Sheik Yir Erse]

Thought that

[Govangirl]

I made a pact with myself not to be controversial again but there are times when talk of Cremola Foam and baths of gruel just don't cut it. I won’t be popular saying this but what the Hell does it matter WHERE he comes from? English snobbery is dancing on Martin’s grave of a job tonight and rubbing its hands in glee at his political demise. Everything I’ve read so far has contained a large degree of snobbery and mocking from those who don't like a Glaswegian of a working class background in the speakers' chair. I did a quick Google tonight of four national newspapers and all adopted the term 'Gorbals Mick' in a derogatory manner. Quite honestly, for much of the media, for most Englishmen and even for some on this forum, every Catholic is a Mick and every working-class Scot is from the Gorbals. And what does it matter if he doesn’t actually come from the Gorbals, you can always hang your prejudice on some other peg of a rough, run-down Glasgow area!

Pardon me, but Martin did not invent the discredited system of parliamentary allowances and the expenses issue would have still have been a problem even if someone else held the position of speaker. That such a system exists in what is supposed to be a world-leading democracy is the scandal here. Michael Martin is a scapegoat and sacrificial lamb imho. He still remains the first manual worker and the first Roman Catholic since Cromwell and the reformation to sit in that ancient seat. And surmounting that kind of prejudice is good enough for me.
Now, am I sorry that he’s going? Do I think he treated his position with respect? Should he get a seat in the Lords and a huge pension? A resounding NO to all. He abused his exalted position and deserves his treatment now but he should go because of his uncouth, pompous, greedy, deceitful ways – NOT because of others’ prejudice. And if MPs think slinging out Michael Martin will end this circus then they are seriously deluded and out of touch with reality. Our Parliament is in the gutter and our MPs with their snouts in the trough have been shown to be corrupt and greedy beyond contempt.

So I agree with you Sheik except that maybe I'm just a bit more prone to ranting.

[blueboyno1]

If iall the MP'S who claimed these expences ,who he has been made a scapegoat for were forced to stand down the place would be empty ,but no they just say sorry and thats it .If some we guy stole a loaf to feed his weans he would be stuck in the poky.

[LANDROVER ROGER]

I believe that Bill Oddie has been suggested as a replacement for Martin.He has a sound knowledge of"feathering"and"nests".

[petewick]

I made a pact with myself not to be controversial again but there are times when talk of Cremola Foam and baths of gruel just don't cut it. I won’t be popular saying this but what the Hell does it matter WHERE he comes from? English snobbery is dancing on Martin’s grave of a job tonight and rubbing its hands in glee at his political demise. Everything I’ve read so far has contained a large degree of snobbery and mocking from those who don't like a Glaswegian of a working class background in the speakers' chair. I did a quick Google tonight of four national newspapers and all adopted the term 'Gorbals Mick' in a derogatory manner. Quite honestly, for much of the media, for most Englishmen and even for some on this forum, every Catholic is a Mick and every working-class Scot is from the Gorbals. And what does it matter if he doesn’t actually come from the Gorbals, you can always hang your prejudice on some other peg of a rough, run-down Glasgow area!

Pardon me, but Martin did not invent the discredited system of parliamentary allowances and the expenses issue would have still have been a problem even if someone else held the position of speaker. That such a system exists in what is supposed to be a world-leading democracy is the scandal here. Michael Martin is a scapegoat and sacrificial lamb imho. He still remains the first manual worker and the first Roman Catholic since Cromwell and the reformation to sit in that ancient seat. And surmounting that kind of prejudice is good enough for me.
Now, am I sorry that he’s going? Do I think he treated his position with respect? Should he get a seat in the Lords and a huge pension? A resounding NO to all. He abused his exalted position and deserves his treatment now but he should go because of his uncouth, pompous, greedy, deceitful ways – NOT because of others’ prejudice. And if MPs think slinging out Michael Martin will end this circus then they are seriously deluded and out of touch with reality. Our Parliament is in the gutter and our MPs with their snouts in the trough have been shown to be corrupt and greedy beyond contempt.

So I agree with you Sheik except that maybe I'm just a bit more prone to ranting.

Well said, it all boils down to the old boys system of the south, they don't like Scots in positions of authority in their little empire.

[bill]

Gorbals Mick to resign,good riddance.

Killing two birds with the one stone bill ?

Ionns,just noticed your post,took me a wee while to "get it"

I'm sure your safe enough

Too be on the safe side,personally if I was you,I would steer clear of Burnside Square

[bill]

it all boils down to the old boys system of the south, they don't like Scots in positions of authority in their little empire.

Very insular little Scotland view Pete.Minded me of "Dad's Army" when the lance-corporal used to say "they do'nt like it up them sir".

[petewick]

it all boils down to the old boys system of the south, they don't like Scots in positions of authority in their little empire.

Very insular little Scotland view Pete.Minded me of "Dad's Army" when the lance-corporal used to say "they do'nt like it up them sir".

Not as insular as little England view, bill, we all know that Westminsters held Scotland back, recent events have shown what a shower of sprochalin' b'stards that's ruling the nation from down there, and as far as I'm concerned they can get that right up them. SCOTLAND THE BRAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!1