John Bercow has been notoriously cavalier with the British Constitution in recent months as his conniving against Brexit with Remainer MPs has continued to escalate. Guido can reveal an interesting discovery which might help to explain it…
A co-conspirator in a second-hand bookshop was pleasantly surprised to discover a copy of the authoritative text, The British Constitution, by pre-eminent constitutional expert Professor Anthony King complete with a personalised message on the inside cover from the late author himself. The message was to none other than Speaker John Bercow…
King optimistically wrote in 2009: “For John Bercow, Essex graduate and great reforming Speaker of the future – we all hope!” Oh, the irony…
Judging from the book’s near-pristine condition, Bercow doesn’t appear to have bothered spending much time reading about the constitution before deciding that he was bigger than it himself. Much like the real thing, Bercow simply decided to chuck the British Constitution away…
How does Bercow respond to criticism? He gives an interview to CNN unapologetically defending his right to support anti-Brexit "dissidents" and "help the House decide" which way Brexit goes – before going on a rant about "intimidation". Shameless. pic.twitter.com/be0ahXr7OG
— Hugh Bennett (@HughRBennett) February 1, 2019
John Bercow has given a brazen interview to CNN unapologetically defending his support for “minority, dissident voices” fighting Brexit and his right to “help the House decide” which way the Brexit process goes, before declaring without a hint of irony that “sometimes the Speaker’s role is just to stand up for the institution of the House of Commons and the principle of Parliamentary democracy”. Overruling the clerks to force an amendment through for political reasons against the rules is a strange way of standing up for that institution…
Incredibly, Bercow also goes on a shameless rant about how “if the Speaker is the sort of person who’s going to be cowed or intimidated by a ministerial rant… that person isn’t fit to be Speaker. I hope I always treat people with respect…” This coming from a man with an extensive track record of bullying and intimidating his own staff who was found to be at the heart of Parliament’s bullying culture by the independent Cox Report. He only needs to look in the mirror to see what someone who isn’t fit to be Speaker looks like…
John Bercow has slapped down May’s hopes of winning over sceptical backbenchers with Andrew Murrison’s amendment, by not sdelecting it to be voted on. The four he has selected instead are:
- Jeremy Corbyn Rejects the deal because it does not meet Labour’s criteria, including a customs union and strong single market relationship. Says government should “pursue every option” for avoiding no-deal or leaving on the terms of May’s deal.
- Sir Edward Leigh States that a permanent backstop would constitute a change in circumstances compared to those in the Withdrawal Agreement and that this would give the UK the right to withdraw from it. Asks the government to confirm it would do so if this was the case.
- John Baron Also says the deal should only be approved if the UK has the right to exit the backstop without the agreement of the EU.
- Ian Blackford Rejects the deal, citing opposition from the devolved assemblies, and calls for an extension of Article 50.
These amendments will be voted on from 7pm. If, as expected, none of them pass, then the we can expect the meaningful vote to take place at 8pm, with the result at around 8:15. Get your popcorn ready…
Former Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Willie Hay has told BBC Radio Ulster that Bercow has lost the trust of many in Parliament and is no longer seen to be acting impartially. Lord Hay then called on the Speaker to “consider his position.” His is an authoritative voice. Bercow has clearly abandoned any pretence of impartiality and those who continue to defend him are doing so for their own political interests…
Bercow’s brazen behaviour has not just been infuriating Tory MPs, earlier today the highly respected former Speaker Baroness Boothroyd was overheard in the corridors of Parliament reportedly telling a senior Tory MP that Bercow’s actions were “disgusting” and an “absolute and utter disgrace”. Guido’s well-placed source says the esteemed Baroness looked visibly shocked at the events unfolding…
One Tory MP is adamant that several pages of what looked to be Parliamentary guidance were removed from the desk in the Commons and taken away during the lengthy Points of Order session where Bercow was repeatedly challenged. Whatever they were, we will never know now…
In a stunningly ironic move, the Speaker has decided to send all MPs a pamphlet entitled “Rules of behaviour and courtesies in the House of Commons.” In an accompanying letter he stresses that “This document should serve as a gentle reminder to longer-serving colleagues, or as a useful guide for those others who have recently started the journey on their parliamentary career.” Bercow might do well to “find the time to acquaint [himself] with the content”…
