Unite: Union leader defends speaker of the House of Commons
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
12:00 AM
Derek Simpson, Unite's joint general secretary has today spoken out in support of Michael Martin, speaker of the House of Commons and accuses the Tories of a witchhunt based on snobbery.
Unite joint general secretary Derek Simpson said,
"Michael Martin is a proud man with strong working class roots but this has made him a target for the silverspoon Tories who want a speaker schooled at Eton rather than a former sheet metal worker. They can't abide a working class man doing well.
Michael has been at the receiving end of a string of unjustified attacks from the Tories. This witch-hunt must end. This is not just an attack on Michael but an attack on the working classes. The Tories remain true to form."
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo 07768 931 315
Disclaimer: Press releases published on this page are from key opinion formers
who promote their organisation's activities by subscribing to a campaign site within
politics.co.uk. politics.co.uk does not endorse, edit, or attempt to balance the
opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases are wholly the responsibility
of the originating company or organisation.
Gordon Brown has defended Michael Martin, insisting he is a very good speaker.
The leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg has called on the Speaker of the House of Commons to resign.
Unite Union joint general secretary Derek Simpson has been criticised after internal documents revealed that the costs of his accommodation were being funded by union members.
George Galloway was ejected from the House of Commons last night before MPs voted to suspend him from parliament.
Harriet Harman has appeared before MPs to defend her vulnerable position as leader of the House of Commons and deputy leader of the Labour party.
Reform of way the House of Commons is elected should be delayed until after the House of Lords has been modernised, the government said today.
MPs re-elected Michael Martin as Commons Speaker yesterday as Parliament gathered for the first time since the general election.
Commons speaker Michael Martin has said he is "deeply concerned" about allegations surrounding Tony Blair's actions during the Bernie Ecclestone affair.
Workers from Cadbury's plants are lobbying their MPs in Westminster as the chocolate-maker's takeover by US firm Kraft is finalised.
George Galloway has been suspended from the House of Commons for bringing it into disrepute.