> You're never going to get an entirely impartial speaker given that this is someone who ran as a political candidate for one party
I think thats the main problem. He/she acts as a moderator, and I struggle to think of any other forum where a moderator has such a glaring potential for the appearance bias (whether exerted or not). On the plus side he is elected, on the other-hand its by MPs and not the public.
Its not just an issue with the current speaker, similar allegations are levelled at most. Fewer with Betty perhaps, some say because she was a "mother figure" who was well liked and commanded respect, others say she was vicious if you spoke out about her and it wasn't worth it.
I think thats the main problem. He/she acts as a moderator, and I struggle to think of any other forum where a moderator has such a glaring potential for the appearance bias (whether exerted or not). On the plus side he is elected, on the other-hand its by MPs and not the public.
Its not just an issue with the current speaker, similar allegations are levelled at most. Fewer with Betty perhaps, some say because she was a "mother figure" who was well liked and commanded respect, others say she was vicious if you spoke out about her and it wasn't worth it.