Almost a week ago, LDV emailed those Lib Dem party members signed-up to our private discussion forum inviting them to take part in a survey focusing on MPs’ expenses. Many thanks to the 240+ of you who completed it; we’ve published the results in full on LDV over the last few days. You can catch up with all our past exclusive LDV members’ surveys by clicking here.

1.

LDV asked: Now that the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, has resigned a handful of Liberal Democrat MPs have been suggested as the new Speaker. It has been argued the Lib Dems should steer clear of this non-party role – we have too few MPs to lose one of our most experienced parliamentarians. Others say the role of Speaker is vital to our democracy and that we should actively want a Lib Dem MP to take it on. What do you think?

Here’s what you told us:

>> 28% – It would be better for the party not to have a Lib Dem MP become the next Speaker.
>> 54% – It would be good thing if a Lib Dem MP were to become the next Speaker.
>> 18% – Don’t know / Other.

So, those Lib Dem MPs lined up to put their names forward have the approval of those party members who responded to our survey. Which brings us on to…

2.

And which of the following candidates who have been suggested as the next Speaker would you prefer to see elected to the role?

Here’s what you said (in descending order):

>> 31% – Sir Alan Beith
>> 16% – Don’t know / No opinion
>> 11% – Sir Menzies Campbell
>> 8% – Frank Field
>> 7% – Sir George Young
>> 6% – Norman Baker
>> 5% – Other
>> 4% – Tony Wright
>> 3% – Diane Abbott
>> 3% – Vince Cable
>> 2% – Richard Taylor
>> 2% – Sir Alan Haselhurst
>> 2% – Sir Patrick Cormack
>> 1% – Kate Hoey

Of those who mentioned ‘Other’, the following MPs’ names were mentioned: Lynne Featherstone, Austin Mitchell, Stephen Pound, Susan Kramer, Douglas Carswell, David Heath, John Bercow and Charles Kennedy.

Thanks to all of you who took part in the LDV MPs’ expenses survey: today’s was the final part. The comments submitted by those who completed the survey are in the process of being uploaded to LDV’s private members-only discussion forum.