Re the speaker thing:
I don't really understand why they can't vote him out, if they want to, regardless of whether the vote is secret or not. If they're happy for everyone to know they oppose Berkow enough to push for this last minute change, then we already know who's got the knives out for him. I just don't see how they'll get more opposing votes purely because it's done in secret, not enough to count anyway. Unless the Tories are planning to impose a secret whip in which case I suppose if it was an open vote everyone would see all the Tories vote against him and that would raise real questions about motives.Under current rules, if a Speaker's re-appointment is objected to, a vote is held, with MPs filing through the division lobbies outside the chamber to cast their vote.
This means it is clear who does or does not support the incumbent.
But MPs will now discuss whether this should be changed to allow MPs to vote in secret.