SNP MP Pete Wishart is set to publish his manifesto in a bid to become the next Commons Speaker at Westminster.
The Perth MP shared a Tweet on Tuesday evening declaring his plans, and promising that a "substantial & far reaching" manifesto would be released on Wednesday.
If successful, the backbencher would become the first post-war speaker who did not hail from the two main parties.
He tweeted: "Tomorrow I will release my manifesto to become the next Speaker of the House of Commons. The first post war Speaker to emerge from beyond the 2 main parties. It will be based on a solid agenda of reform seeking to secure equality of all MPs. It will be substantial & far reaching."
Tomorrow I will release my manifesto to become the next Speaker of the House of Commons. The first post war Speaker to emerge from beyond the 2 main parties. It will be based on a solid agenda of reform seeking to secure equality of all MPs. It will be substantial & far reaching
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) April 30, 2019
However, his announcement was met with anger and scepticism from some SNP supporters who felt this move would ingrain the party within the Westminster establishment instead of working to escape it.
John Bercow, the current speaker, was expected to stand down over summer, though with the impending chaos of Brexit it is unclear if that may change.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel