Candidates 'surprised' at Speaker bid

Published in Gloucester Citizen Newspaper on Sat 13th Jun 2009

THE two city men most affected by Parmjit Dhanda's decision to stand for the role of Speaker have spoken out.

City MP Dhanda announced he would put his name forward for the prestigious role this week.

If elected, political convention means neither the Conservative party nor the Liberal Democrats would put up a candidate against him at the next General Election, due to be held within the next year.

It means, the Tory prospective Parliamentary candidate, and Liberal Democrat Jeremy Hilton would have to abandon their plans to fight for the seat.

Both candidates have said they will now have to wait to see what happens in the race for the Speaker role.

The Conservative Candidate said: "Mr Dhanda is an ambitious young man, his career has run out of steam in the Government and he is looking for other things.

"It is a good PR move to raise his profile, and let's see what support he can muster in Westminster for his bid. In terms of his proposals, he seems to have discovered radicalism at a late stage, a look at his voting record suggests he rarely rebels against his party, and in a Speaker you are really looking for someone who is independent of thought.

"The role of Speaker is an important managerial position, and there has to be a question mark over his experience.

"The only issue I have seen him lead on was the regionalisation of the fire control centre, and that was hardly an unmitigated success.

"I have to say, his qualifications look modest."

Jeremy Hilton, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on both Gloucester City and Gloucestershire County Councils, admitted he was surprised by Mr Dhanda's move.

He said: "It sounds to me like Mr Dhanda is trying to secure himself a job which would save his neck.

"It is convention that the other main parties do not stand candidates against the speaker, so it would secure his seat at the next General Election.

"It does make you wonder as he has shown no inclination for this kind of role before, he has always been very political in his dealings.

"Therefore, I am surprised by this decision, and quite amused. We will have to wait and see what happens now."