Vote!

Should John Bercow be the new Speaker?

36% are saying yes
64% are saying no

comments from readers

terence patrick hewett
14 June 2009

A trimmer, no gravitas, no intellect no balls.

Bob AH
14 June 2009

Despite Sir John Bercow's thoughtful and persuasive article in the NS recently about why he should be the next speaker in the Commons, it would be better for the reputation of parliamentarians, after the recent expenses scandal, if they chose an MP who was not himself mired in the scandal by flipping his second home from his constituency to a flat in London and who has ‘repaid’ £6,500 capital gains tax on the sale of two properties.

There seems to be an effective and well planned campaign to get this former right wing Conservative MP, who is now the darling of the Labour parliamentarians and will have a block support for his ‘reluctant’ elevation, simply to spite the Tories, who do not support him. This is not a good basis for electing a Speaker particularly if after the next election the position has to be reassessed and re-elected as it will be detrimental to the office of Speaker.

However, it is MPs who will decide. Public opinion doesn’t really count. They haven’t shown much understanding of public anger thus far so why should they do so now?

suell
14 June 2009

yes

He seems progressive about parliamentary reform and has a liberal social policy outlook. His 'manifesto' seems very credible.

Sue Lloyd

Simon Icke
15 June 2009

The next Speaker should have universal support and respect of all MPs. John Bercow doesn't have that. Childish spite by Labour MPs is not the right reason for electing someone. Have they learnt nothiing from the past few weeks? The Speaker should be a respected long serving female MP this time. (only a woman could sort this mess out)., who better than Margarett Beckett or Anne Widdicombe. Many MPs will lose their seats at the next election if the wrong person is elected. MPs need to ask themselves who best to restore public confidence in Parliament in less than eleven months?

Stephen
15 June 2009

Margaret Becket would make an excellent Speaker.

Frederic Stansfield
16 June 2009

Terrence Hewett has the right word. John Bercow lacks gravitas. He is too ambitious for the job. Whilst the Speaker is the MPs choice, they need to elect somebody who will rebuild respect for the office and the Commons, and there are better candidates on offer to do this.
In my view Margaret Becket would be the best choice.

rogerwhitewick
16 June 2009

Richard Shepherd should be speaker. He had the courage to tell Speaker Martin to go and he seems to understand that the Commons does not belong to the government.

Simon Icke
17 June 2009

More on John Bercow from the MP of courage and integrity; Nadine Dorries. Highly recommended comments.... her observations in the House of Commons today. 17 June 2009. Check out her blog..The devil is in the detail:

http://blog.dorries.org/id-1440-2009_6_The_Devil_Is_In_The_D...

And even better perhaps her blog yesterday, if you missed it, on the same subject..

Bercow as Speaker....A forgone conlusion?

http://blog.dorries.org/ac-1438-2009_6_Bercow_as_Speaker_a_F...

What will this Government's legacy be?

Will they burst the ball because they are losing the match?

Have they learnt anything from the last few scandalous weeks?

The nation will find out next Monday, 22 June 2009.

M.J.Harrington
18 June 2009

We need a sober servant, not an exhibitionist.

19 June 2009

We need an
n "Interim Speaker" to do the job until this "Rotten Parliament" can be dissolved and an honest one elected. One candidate has offered her services for such duties, let's give Anne a chance!
Alan Briggs, Cambridge.

Simon Icke
21 June 2009

What will this Government’s legacy be? Will they burst the ball because they are losing the match? Have they learnt anything from the last few scandalous weeks? The next speaker must be ‘whiter than white’ in their expense claims record and have the trust of all MPs and the general public; which suggest Anne Widdicombe may come up on the rails with a storming finish to win by half a length over Sir George Young in second and favourite Margaret Beckett a further length behind in third. Pulled up over late expenses query John Bercow . Pure bloodstock Frank Field was a non runner (He may run in ten months time due to public demand).

Simon Icke
21 June 2009