The SNP’s Pete Wishart is throwing his hat in the ring to be the next Commons Speaker.
The 57-year-old MP, who has represented his Perth seat since 2001, revealed his plan on Twitter, saying, if successful, he would be the first post-war Speaker to emerge from beyond the two main parties.
The backbencher, who chairs the Commons Scottish Affairs Committee, will publish his agenda today, saying it “will be based on a solid agenda of reform seeking to secure equality of all MPs. It will be substantial and far-reaching”.
Tomorrow I will release my manifesto to become the next Speaker of the House of Commons. The first post war Speaker to emerge from beyond the 2 main parties. It will be based on a solid agenda of reform seeking to secure equality of all MPs. It will be substantial & far reaching
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) April 30, 2019
But his bid has already met with some Nationalist disfavour with some on Twitter, saying the SNP does not want to become part of the Westminster Establishment but oppose it.
John Bercow, the current Speaker, was expected to relinquish his role this summer but it is thought he might stay longer given the Brexit uncertainty.
READ MORE: Pete Wishart 'not overly concerned' about facing disciplinary action over Brexit vote rebellion
His deputy, Eleanor Laing, has already announced she is interested in succeeding him while Labour’s former deputy leader Harriet Harman is also believed to be mulling over whether to join the fray once he makes clear he is stepping down.
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