British parliament votes to elect new Speaker in reform attempt

Jun 22, 2009, 14:26 GMT

London - The British parliament Monday launched the process of electing a new Speaker in an attempt to modernize and clean up its image following a damaging scandal over parliamentary expenses.

Members of parliament (MPs) were able to choose from 10 candidates running for the post in a secret ballot. The position is equivalent to that of parliamentary president in other democracies.

The Labour Party's former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett was among the favourites for the post, which is also contested by Conservative member of parliament Ann Widdecombe and former Conservative minister George Young, among others.

Michael Martin, the previous Speaker, resigned over the expenses scandal last month, becoming the first Speaker in 300 years to be the forced from office.

He had been accused of covering up the potentially abusive claim culture under lax and old-fashioned expenses rules by preventing greater transparency.

As a result of the scandal, which caused widespread public revulsion, a number of MPs from all the major political parties have resigned and up to 50 have said they will not stand again.