Pendle MP and long time critic of the Liberal Democrats, Gordon Prentice, is backing Alan Beith for Speaker of the House of Commons in tomorrow’s vote.

Speaking from Barnoldswick earlier today, the MP said: “I have heard all the candidates in two separate hustings and they all have something to offer, each in their own way.”

“However, I am not sure I can vote for another Labour MP to follow Michael Martin. That would be three in a row and, in my view, that is at least one too many.”

“I believe Beith is genuine about reforming the Commons and he would look at things from a backbench perspective. As a Lib Dem he has, self evidently, never been a Minister.”

“At a time when there is so much concern about the Government dominating Parliament and controlling the Commons timetable, having someone from the third party is a real plus.”

The MP added: “He believes in term limits and would retire after four or five years.”

The Pendle MP organised hustings in 2000 when Betty Boothroyd stood down from the Speaker’s chair. 

Tomorrow's election will be, for the first time, by secret ballot

The Pendle MP gave his views on the race for Speaker in an interview yesterday with Jackie Ashley for the BBC’s political review, the Week in Westminster. The interview is 22 minutes in to the programme.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00l2lty/Week_in_Westminster_20_06_2009/