SIR – At the pre-election hustings all the candidates pleading to be the new Commons speaker called for the House to take back power from the executive. “Hear, Hear,” members replied.

A day later, MPs debated the Iraq war inquiry. This would be the first test of the Commons asserting its right to decide the terms of reference of the inquiry. They failed. Instead, a vague form of words calling for “as much of the proceedings as possible in public without compromising national security or the inquiry’s ability to report thoroughly or without delay” was approved. No evidence on oath. No compulsion to give evidence by subpoena. The inquiry chairman, Sir John Chilcot, whoever he is, would decide what could and could not be heard in public.

By a majority much smaller than the combined numbers of MPs reportedly seeking membership of the House of Lords and those on the payroll, the executive got its way again.

Following his election, speaker Bercow thanked MPs and asserted that the vast majority of members came to serve their constituents and not themselves. Coming from someone paying back capital gains tax on being rumbled for ‘flipping’, it proved that nothing has changed.

Peter Nielsen,
Worcester.