IT IS Westminster's version of the Grand National, a frantic scramble over hurdles that is so chaotic that potentially any of the 12 or so runners and riders could win.

Monday's election by MPs of a new Commons Speaker to replace the redoubtable Betty Boothroyd promises to be a classic parliamentary occasion - or should that be farce?

It's not just that the election rules are complicated - they seem to change every time a fresh interpretation comes out.

Then there's an unprecedented number, at least in modern times, of candidates, a round dozen hopeful MPs at the moment, including three from the North-East.

Add to that the fact that the election organiser is one 84-year-old, slightly deaf former Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath, who gets the job as he is the longest-serving MP or Father of the House in official terms.

So one ingredient is absolutely guaranteed on Monday, confusion.

In fact, the election might not even take place then. One late rumour sweeping the Commons corridors yesterday was that Sir Edward might take account of the huge candidates list and suggest deferring the great vote until Tuesday.

Whatever happens next week will be unusual. On only three occasions in the last century was there any real contest for the Speakership.

One of those was the last election in 1992 when former Tiller-girl Mrs Boothroyd beat the former Tory Cabinet Minister Peter Brooke.

Normally, the successful MP has simply "emerged" in a classic cosy deal among the various parties and with no rivals proposed on the floor of the Commons.

But given the packed line-up next week, there's something about the job of Speaker that seems to be getting more attractive.

First, there's the salary. Next week's lucky MP will get an immediate pay rise of well over 50 per cent, resulting in a whacking salary of £114,543.

You get to wear an 18th Century outfit, including wig, silk stockings and buckle shoes. Then there's the fame that now goes with the job in the age of television.

Mrs Boothroyd became a world-wide celebrity in her eight years of shouting "Order! Order!". And there's the power. The Speaker's job is to chair the Commons proceedings, decide which MPs get called to speak and generally to keep a tight rein on the school-dormitory pillow fight that is an average Commons debate.

Only the Speaker can effectively tell the Prime Minister to shut up and sit down, and there's a few backbenchers on both sides of the House desperate to do that. Finally, at a time of increasing fears that the Commons is being marginalised by an over-mighty Government, there's the chance to re-affirm the House's independence.

But the Speaker's job wasn't always so attractive. Commons Speakers, once elected, are ceremonially dragged from the green benches to the Chair to signify reluctance to take what was a highly dangerous job.

No fewer than nine of Mrs Boothroyd's predecessors have died violent deaths while still in office.

So back to Monday. The three North-Eastern hopefuls are former Labour Cabinet Minister David Clark, Blaydon Labour MP John McWilliam and Alan Beith, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick.

The first two this week issued statements underlining their credentials as modernisers and Dr Clark, MP for South Shields, even promised to ditch the wig and silk stockings.

None of them are front-runners, and the favourite is Glasgow Labour MP Michael Martin with Tory grandee Sir George Young also in with a shout.

But who knows? If Monday's vote is as complicated as expected, maybe an exhausted Ted Heath will sit down in the big chair and simply say: "Right! I'll do the job."