Bids to be the next Speaker

Who wants his job?

The Daily Politics spoke to the candidates who wanted to succeed Michael Martin as Speaker of the House of Commons and gave them half a minute each to put their case for our viewers.

John Bercow got the nod in the end, winning out over fellow Conservative, Sir George Young.

Veteran Lib Dem MP, with more than 30 years' experience. Former party leadership contender. Chairman of the constitutional affairs committee. Respected figure who was in the running for the job in 2000. Says the job of Speaker should be to "lead on reform" rather than defend the status quo and to strengthen MPs' ability to challenge the government. But asked if the new Speaker had to be "whiter than white", he joked: "Nobody is whiter than white." He said he had once claimed twice for the same television licence but immediately sent off a cheque when he realised his mistake.

First female foreign secretary who briefly led the Labour Party after John Smith's death and before the election of Tony Blair, Margaret Beckett is certainly not short of experience. Her late entry into the race to be Speaker came after she reportedly quit the government after asking to be given a full time cabinet seat as housing minister. She said she wanted to help Parliament deal with its "considerable problems". Not untouched by the expenses furore but commands respect on all sides of the House. Mrs Beckett was quickly installed as the 4/1 second favourite by bookies after her announcement.

Backbench Tory MP. Former right winger, who has moved towards the centre in recent years. Thought to have the backing of several Labour MPs for the Speaker's job but may not be popular enough with his own side to stand a realistic chance. Current favourite at the bookmakers to land the job.

Veteran Tory backbencher who was in the running for the job last time. Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. Says he would bring "a robust impartiality" to the role. Expert on constitutional affairs but may be seen as too much of a traditionalist to lead changes demanded by most MPs.

By his own admission not an "obvious choice" for the role of Speaker, Labour's Mr Dhanda says that as one of the few Asian MPs in the House he was spurred into action by the BNP winning seats in the European Parliament. The former fire services minister and MP for Gloucester plans to stand on an agenda of reforming Parliament, including holding debates outside the chamber in provincial towns and cities. Has said he wants to make Parliament "less macho" and improve facilities for MPs with children.

The Conservative MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Sir Michael Lord stood for the Speakership when Betty Boothroyd won the post. He said: "I have got strong support, and I am very serious about the contest."

Conservative MP and deputy speaker. Widely-respected figure who also served as deputy to former Speaker Betty Boothroyd. Another favourite at the bookmakers but being singled out by The Daily Telegraph for claiming £142,119 in second homes allowances since 2001, despite having no mortgage on the property, will not help his chances.

Independent-minded veteran Tory MP, first elected in 1979. Has led criticism of Speaker Martin. Stood unsuccessfully for the Speakership in October 2000. Ladbrokes makes him 16/1.

Former shadow home secretary and one of the best-known and most widely respected members of the Commons. Plans to stand down at next general election and has ruled out becoming a permanent replacement for Michael Martin. But she attracted support from colleagues as a possible interim Speaker.

Conservative grandee and widely-respected chairman of the Standards and Privileges Committee. One of the bookmakers' favourites to land the job of Speaker after missing out in 2000. But Eton-educated background may count against him in the eyes of Labour MPs.

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