Iain Dale has revealed an ‘exclusive’ on his blog tonight (although a fair few of us had wind of this a day or so ago) in that Sir Menzies Campbell is mounting a campaign to secure the position of Speaker of the House.

Ming has let it be known that he is willing to be included as a possible alternative to Bercow in an email due to be sent out to all MPs tomorrow morning by Labour MP Kate Hoey and Conservative MP Nadine Dorries.

Will he win? There is certainly a lack of support in the current Speaker, although will the House have the courage to firstly rebel against him (life for any member who does and the bid is unsuccessful would be difficult when the speaker was returned to office) and secondly, does the House want a LibDem as the Speaker?

I certainly would like to see a LibDem as the Speaker of the House, if for nothing more than to redress the balance and provide an opportunity for us to exercise some control over the day to day business of the House.

I for one will be watching the outcome with interest.

It has been posted in Twitter, that Philippa Stroud has been appointed by IDS as one of his special advisors.

If this is true, we are seeing that the supposedly gay friendly Tory party is reverting to its true roots. One steeped in the memory of s28 and homophobia.

Here is a very quick analysis of the voting record for Theresa May (as recorded in Hansard). (clue: her votes are in RED - minority means NO, or in other words, against the bill)

NOT impressive is it?

Even more, if you start looking at where she has voted against the Tory whip, it is even more scary. For instance, she was a rebel against the Tory vote of Aye for reformation of the Upper House.

A more detailed analysis of her voting record will come in a day or so, along with a comparison against the new cabinet, so we can see where they all stand on issues which to LibDems and others, are important!

I am intrigued with how Cameron is going to address in intrinsic homophobia which exists within the Tory party, now he is in coalition with the LibDems who are the most welcoming party to LGBT people. Chris Grayling and Philippa Stroud come to mind, as well as IDS’s ties to Stroud (which in itself is worrying) and as for Theresa May’s voting record on LGBT issues, well that is another (planned) post, in which I will investigate how she has voted in regards LGBT legislation, including the repeal of s28, equalisation of the age of consent, the equalities act etc…

From what I recall, her voting record does not exactly inspire confidence and in her new role as Home Secretary, this is worrying. However, if the past Labour Home Secretary’s are anything to go by, the role itself is akin to a poisoned chalice and perhaps will be her un-doing!

I am seeking ‘Guest Bloggers’ to contribute into my blog on relevant topics. Interested?

Ideally, you will be an existing LibDem blogger, however if you are not and you have an interest in LibDem politics and would like to contribute, please get in contact.