Would electoral reform improve perceptions of MPs probity?
No, if by electoral reform one means proportional representation. There are strong arguments for and against PR, but they have nothing to do with probity. What might help a little is compulsory voting – with a “none of the above” box on ballot papers. If “none of the above” achieves the highest vote, then re-run the election in that seat with new candidates. Who would you like to see as Speaker? What sort of qualities does he or she need? The perfect Speaker would have the lifestyle of Mahatma Gandhi, the charisma of Barack Obama and the public appeal of Joanna Lumley. But I would settle for a tough and respected reformer. S/he can’t be Labour; it would be wrong for the third in succession to come from the same party. Two that could give Parliament as a whole the lead it badly needs are Ming Campbell and John Bercow. The Independent: Martin Bell, former anti-corruption MP for Tatton If you were to pick out one MP’s claim as highlighting the worst excess, which would it be and why? It’s
