United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal of expenses politicians from all parties responded to the controversy. The resignation of Michael Martin, Speaker of the House of Commons, followed after he was pressured to step down for approving the allowances system that MPs have manipulated with questionable claims of expenses. The pressure and viable threats of a proposed vote of no confidence in Martin ultimately forced his resignation. Michael Martin’s response to the handling of the expense crisis was not well received by the majority of the House. He attacked MPs in Parliament who defended "The Daily Telegraph" for publishing details of expenses and allowances. Martin then
Conservative Party (UK) parliamentary primaries Conservative Party (UK) parliamentary primaries Since 2009, the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom has experimented with the use of open primaries to select some parliamentary candidates. Three primaries were held ahead of the 2010 general election in Oxford West & Abingdon, Totnes and Gosport. More than a dozen primaries were held ahead of the 2015 general election. Michael Ellis was selected for Northampton North in 2006. Totnes was the first constituency to use an open primary to select the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. The election was held in August 2009 and saw a turnout of approximately 25%. Due to