The procedures may be abstruse but the political reality is brutally clear: Michael Martin said on Tuesday that he would step down next month as Speaker of the House of Commons because he had no choice but to go. His departure is a necessary step as MPs seek to regain public trust after detailed revelations about their expense claims have brought Westminster into disrepute. But making amends does not end here.

It is right that Mr Martin is resigning. He has simply not been up to the job. Even in ordinary times, his tribal loyalty to Labour has sometimes been evident, though as Speaker he had given up party allegiance. His own expense claims attracted controversy. And last year the House of Commons authorities, of whom he is the head, were shockingly passive and compliant when faced with a police request to search an MP’s Westminster office.