In October 2000 there was a row about the how the Speaker of the House of Commons was elected, with Tony Benn demanding a ballot for the role. A plucky backbencher weighed in, telling the BBC, that he believed this ballot should be conducted in secret:

“In view of growing concern that the government whips will seek to browbeat people into voting for a preferred candidate, can we have guidance on the possibility of ensuring that the election will be conducted by secret ballot?”

His name? John Bercow…