Frank Field drops out of Speaker race

Published on Sunday 14 June 2009 21:59

WITH just over a week to go before MPs choose their new Speaker, one of the front-runners for the post looks likely to drop out of the race having failed to get his own party's support.

Frank Field said in a post on his blog that the lack of backing from fellow Labour MPs was "a significant weakness" and said he would not stand unless he picked up support soon.

His likely withdrawal adds further uncertainty to the first secret ballot for Speaker in the history of the Commons.

As many as 11 potential candidates are to make their pitch to MPs in hustings called by the Hansard Society today.

Former Home Office minister Ann Widdecombe has admirers, but has made clear she can only be an interim Speaker, as she will stand down at the next election.

Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell later confirmed yesterday he would not be standing for the position of Speaker.

He said: "My taste for active politics is undiminished and my priority remains my constituency of North East Fife.

"At Westminster I retain my particular interests in foreign affairs and defence, and security issues. I value my membership of the foreign affairs committee and the intelligence and security committee. I have no wish to alter that priority or to give up these interests."