Indyref has scuppered Wishart’s speaker bid
Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart will not run for the position of speaker at the House of Commons - because he thinks an independence referendum will be held next year.
Mr Wishart revealed earlier this year he was going to throw his hat into the ring for the role once John Bercow stepped down.
Mr Bercow announced earlier this week his intention to quit and he will leave the role on October 31.
But Mr Wishart has now revealed he will not stand.
Earlier in the week he had told the PA he was “considering all my options,” before making a decsion.
But he has since said on his blog: “In May I said that I would be interested in standing for the position of speaker if and when that position became available, but today I confirm that I will no longer be seeking a nomination for that role.
“Since then the first minister has introduced the referendums bill and has stated her intention to seek a referendum on Scottish independence in the autumn of next year, a referendum which I am certain will be won.
“I will not therefore have sufficient time to pursue my wide ranging agenda of reform.
“I also believe that it would not be fair to have a further election for speaker in a few years following the departure of Scottish MPs from Westminster in the very slim chance that I would be successful.”
Mr Wishart also described suggestions his original bid for the speakers role showed a lack of commitment to Scottish independence as “absurd”.
Earlier in the week, Mr Wishart told the PA he had been flattered by the amount of people who asked him to be a candidate.
He added: “I have also had a great response from the people of Perth, and I’m really greatful for that.”
When asked when he thought an independence referendum would take place, Mr Wishart said: “With the referendum bill going through the Scottish Parliament, the first minister has talked about accelerating the process and maybe looking at autumn next year.
“For the SNP, it is imperative that we get into the business of building momentum.
“You saw the rally in Perth, support for independence has tipped over to the majority. It is coming and it’s coming soon.”
When Mr Wishart launched his bid for the speaker role in May, policies included shortening the time it takes to vote, extending the proxy voting system and ending the system where the speaker dictates what MPs should or shouldn’t wear.