Sir, The “unwritten rule” that the Speaker’s seat should not be contested was devised very recently.
010All Speakers who sought re-election between 1945 and Margaret Thatcher’s final campaign were opposed,several of them by candidates from the main parties. In 1987 official Labour and SDP/Liberal Alliance candidates stood against Speaker Weatherill, leaving him with a majority that was only slightly higher than when he stood as a Conserative in 1983.
Yours faithfully
Alistair Cooke