i am always amazes that they have stopped a widespread past practice of interviewing wives when the husband is applying for a prestigious post.
To me, the wife of the Speaker of the House of Commons, plays a very important role both supportive and representative.
It was always the rule in the 50's and 60's and perhaps a little later to have luncheon drinks with the short listed candidates and their wives before presenting themselves for interview for a Consultant post in the NHS at the palatial buildings of the Regional Board.You could chat to the wives, assess their mode of presentation and judge if they would be a "suitable Consultant's wife"
Tis a pity that this method seem to have fallen into disrepute and saved us the unsavory antics of the wife of "our Speaker."
With the widespread use of the internet, social network sites and tweeting etc. it is nowadays easier to 'interview' a candidate's wife (or husband) discreetly', in fact without their knowledge; it certainly should have been in the case of Mrs. Bercow.
Brave post, thought it would get a lot of people apoplectic, but the same would these days apply to any spouse/lont term partner of a person in a position like Speaker. Many a Senior NCO has failed to get promotion on the strength of their partner!
I agree sqad, for people who hold high office I would have thought that the candidate and his family would be checked out as suitable material for the office of Speaker. She is an embarrassment, by the same token I don't think much of him either. Can't imagine who the other candidates were.
I always thought Cherie Blair was a disgrace, but unfortunately there wasn't much could be done about her.
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