'I will restore parliament's reputation'
Updated on 11 June 2009
The veteran Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe is vowing to “restore the reputation” of the House of Commons if she is elected to replace Michael Martin as Speaker.
The former Home Office minister has announced that she will be retiring from politics after the next general election so would take the job only on a temporary basis.
The 61-year-old, who said 18 months ago she was stepping down at the next general election, announced that she is joining the growing list of candidates for the key Westminster job.
She said: "We have got to restore the reputation of the House of Commons with the public and that means somebody who can connect with the public, which I believe I can do very well."
She said that she had delayed making her bid for the job while Gordon Brown was fighting for the support of his party.
"I wanted to see what would be the outcome of the goings on in the Labour party because if there had been a change of leader and any possibility of an election I wouldn't have stood."
She said as still intends to retire at the next election and would be an "interim" candidate, she would need at least a year in the job to do it justice.
The Maidstone and The Weald MP said she had, "no idea" if she has the support of Conservative leader David Cameron. "I wouldn't dream of asking him because he must keep his counsel on this."
Current Speaker Michael Martin announced his resignation last month amid widespread criticism of his handling of the MPs' expenses revelations.
He formally steps down on 21 June, the day before a crunch Commons vote to elect the new office holder.
Ms Widdecombe, who was first elected in 1987, is one of Westminster's most recognisable figures and is well known for her no-nonsense manner.
Her fellow Tory MP Sir Patrick Cormack also announced his intention to stand for the job today.
Also mounting bids are former Labour Cabinet minister Margaret Beckett, Tory backbencher John Bercow - seen as the favourite for the role - and Labour MP Frank Field.
Other candidates for the job include ex-minister Parmjit Dhanda, Tories Sir Michael Lord and Sir George Young, and Liberal Democrat Sir Alan Beith.
Mr Bercow has been looking increasingly difficult to beat amid reports that senior Labour figures are ready to back him.
The Buckingham MP's chances were seen as being further boosted this week when rival Frank Field joined the unsuccessful rebellion against Gordon Brown, angering many in his own party.
Mr Field and Mrs Beckett may also suffer because tradition suggests it is the turn of an opposition party after Labour provided the past two speakers.
