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22/06/2009
I Declined Speaker Offer, Says Hermon
Sole Ulster Unionist MP Lady Hermon was approached by the Labour Party to contest the office of Commons Speaker, it has been revealed.
The "flattered" North Down parliamentarian (pictured) said she was asked by senior Labour figures to stand as a candidate to replace outgoing speaker Michael Martin.
However, Lady Hermon said her priority was constituency work and retaining a balanced family life.
She insisted the role would not suit her temperament.
MPs will elect a new speaker from 10 hopefuls later today.
Lady Hermon, the widow of former RUC chief constable Sir Jack Hermon, publicly denounced a UUP/Conservative voting pact, unveiled earlier this year, insisting she has "never been a Tory", and "never will be".
She has backed former Labour minister Margaret Beckett to become the next speaker.
All of Northern Ireland's MPs will vote in today's ballot, which could herald a new era for the House.
East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson is said to be backing Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, whilst Foyle MP Mark Durkan will lend his support to front-runner John Bercow.
The successful candidate will be tasked with reforming the Commons amid a continued public backlash over the MPs' expenses furore.
(PR/JM)
The "flattered" North Down parliamentarian (pictured) said she was asked by senior Labour figures to stand as a candidate to replace outgoing speaker Michael Martin.
However, Lady Hermon said her priority was constituency work and retaining a balanced family life.
She insisted the role would not suit her temperament.
MPs will elect a new speaker from 10 hopefuls later today.
Lady Hermon, the widow of former RUC chief constable Sir Jack Hermon, publicly denounced a UUP/Conservative voting pact, unveiled earlier this year, insisting she has "never been a Tory", and "never will be".
She has backed former Labour minister Margaret Beckett to become the next speaker.
All of Northern Ireland's MPs will vote in today's ballot, which could herald a new era for the House.
East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson is said to be backing Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, whilst Foyle MP Mark Durkan will lend his support to front-runner John Bercow.
The successful candidate will be tasked with reforming the Commons amid a continued public backlash over the MPs' expenses furore.
(PR/JM)
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