UK Speaker resigns

The UK Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, has resigned over the MPs expenses scandal.

His resignation heads off an almost unprecedented motion of no confidence in him, that was attracting cross-party support.

Martin is also resigning as MP for Glasgow North East.

Some interim changes have been made to the MPs expenses scheme:

• MPs would no longer be allowed to claim for items such as furniture, household goods, cleaning and stamp duty on their second homes
• MPs selling property had to be “completely open” with the tax authorities in relation to capital gains tax
• mortgage interest claims would be capped at £1,250 per month
• any scheme to move from self-regulation to independent external regulation

The European elections look like they will be a massive protest vote against thre three main parties, with up to 60% of voters considering a vote for another party.