Speaker Bercow

So there it is.  Speaker Bercow.

I voted for him in the final round in the certain knowledge that I'd get lots of emails beginning with "How dare you ..... blah blah".

So why did I vote as I did?  My preferred candidate was knocked out in the first ballot.

I switched to Bercow simply because I think he'd be most effective at holding a future Conservative government to account.  He's clearly his own man and not afraid to defy the tribe.  Surely that's no bad thing in a Speaker?  

Bercow won a proper democratic contest - giving him a legitimacy no previous Speaker has had.  We're not going to restore faith in our broken Westminster system with refusals to accept democratic results or with underhand briefings.  Whatever criticisms I had to level against Bercow's predecessor, I never said privately what I wasn't prepared to say in the open.  

The House of Commons is in a hole. With the election of a new Speaker, I hope we’ve stopped digging.

What matters is how we now lift politics out of the mess we’re in. So let's give him the benefit of the doubt.  Let’s take Bercow’s reformist agenda, mesh it with the ideas Cameron unveiled in Milton Keynes, and make some real change.

As for the idea John Bercow is on probation, frankly, the tide of anti-politics is now coming in so fast, unless we deliver radical change, we're all on probation.

Posted on 23 June 2009 by Douglas Carswell

Comments

I don't agree with you on most areas of policy, but, to use the words of Parmjit Dhanda, I think you are probably one of the MPs who 'gets it'.

Posted on 23 June 2009 09:51 by Pete B

Those not being manipulated by media leaks and sleaze are asking why the fees office authorized the claims, 'leaked' the claims when Labour was in third poll position and why the core issue is not being addressed.

Trial by media, spin and manipulation is Nulabor's longstanding method of 'rule', as opposed to 'government'.

Posted on 23 June 2009 09:55 by Jean Baker

Douglas, I respect and understand your reasons. And I do feel that Bercow, being duly elected, should have a chance to prove himself.

However, I can't help but feel disappointed that Parliament, with this election coming off the back of the expenses scandal, have chosen an über trougher to lead reform. He will have to work harder than most to prove that he is actually committed to reform, and doubts will always linger.

Posted on 23 June 2009 10:16 by Obnoxio The Clown

"Bercow won a proper democratic contest" - not strictly true. The plot by labour MP's to elect him to annoy the Tories IS NOT DEMOCRATIC!

I would have preferred a list of MP's who have been found NOT to fiddle the expenses system whether Tory or Labour. At least that way, you know you have a person of integrity and honour in this most important position.

Posted on 23 June 2009 10:37 by Sue

Does the sum total of (reportedly) 'disallowable' MP's expenses exceed the £126 m. of taxpayers money wasted by Ed Balls on the aborted SATs fiasco ?

Taxpayers I know are far more concerned with the monumental waste caused by non-workable 'ideas', quangos etc. than an alleged 'dodgily functioning' fees office.

Posted on 23 June 2009 10:39 by Jean Baker

Sorry Douglas, we will have to agree to disagree on the subject of John Bercow.

With regard to your last comment, highlighted in red, by electing this man it can be said MPs have increased the rate at which the tide is encroaching.

Posted on 23 June 2009 10:40 by WitteringsFromWitney

I sincerely hope you're right, Douglas.

Posted on 23 June 2009 11:22 by SaltedSlug

Douglas I wish Shepherd had done better too, but I have to disagree with you about Bercow.

I very much doubt his reformist rhetoric - he had his hand in the cookie jar more than once. I don't believe he has a single principle that he actually would stick to other than self-promotion.

I hope I am wrong as Parliament is right up the creek.

Posted on 23 June 2009 11:23 by Plato-Says

Roll on the tide of anti-politics!

Posted on 23 June 2009 11:42 by Mark Forster

You, Carswell, have revealed yourself to be either a fool or a knave.
Either you did not have the political nous to realise that letting Speaker Martin limp on until retiral at the next election was the best course of action, or you were secretly in favour of Bercow all along, and you knew he would have no chance after the next election, when Labour would have lost its majority.
I used to have some respect for you, but no longer.

Posted on 23 June 2009 11:50 by Geoff Middleton

Well so Mr Carswell voted for 'King Trough' in the last round. Bercow claimed the maximum ACA for the last 6 years. As much if not more than any Conservative or Libdem and only equalled by a handful of Labour MPs.

And so the 'arsonist elite' is now Head of the Fire Department. Well go figure?

If ever there was evidence of how detached MPs could be from their electorate this decision was it. Shame on any MP who voted for him.

As for Mr. Carswell was this all part of 'the Plan' or is it just more proof that in his partnership with Dan Hannan, that Hannan is definitely the organ grinder?

Stopped digging. You've just selected a new improved bigger better shovel!

On probation? Carswell should have it revoked and be banged up for this decision. Truly incredible!

Posted on 23 June 2009 11:58 by Willliam Blakes Ghost

I disagree about Bercow. Not only has he been caught with his hand in the till, but how can the public have faith that Parliament is trying to clean up its act when someone who overclaims expenses and thinks that MPs are underpaid (and suggests an MP should earn £100K pa)gets the job?

Posted on 23 June 2009 12:39 by Batty

"How dare you......" - but actually I'm speechless!

Posted on 23 June 2009 14:18 by Mike Spilligan

We should give the new man a chance to perform.He is not my choice but he is there so he has a chance to impress. I wish him well and a successful speakership. It was not lost on me however this was a game played by the Labour party to irritate the Tories.I cant believe they still don't get it do they? Parliament is on its knees with expence scandals and they continue to play games, It serves them right if they end up with less seats than the lib dems Labour have shown contempt for voters again

Posted on 23 June 2009 15:48 by Ian

he is not his own man,he has been courting labour for years.He will be a labour stooge as they got him what he wanted.

Posted on 23 June 2009 19:32 by davmc

"Dale reminds Guido - Bercow promised any minister who made an announcement to the media instead of the house first would be called to explain himself before parliament".

No legislation has been debated or approved in Parliament limiting ministers' freedom of speech/opinion to the confines of the House during 'opening hours' - it being subjected to summer recess closure.

In democratic Britain, no legislation exists preventing any minister talking freely and openly to whomsoever they choose outside the confines of Parliament. Ministers are paid to serve the public, which entails communicating with the public.

Bercow is a public servant, not a parliamentary legislator; his thinly veiled threat was well 'out of order'.

Posted on 23 June 2009 20:14 by Jean Baker

Douglas

Everyone is entitled to make one big mistake in life and this was yours! Geoff is right when he says above that Speaker Martin should have limped on until the next election when Labour would have lost their majority and the new House could then elect someone who would command respect of all sides, rather than electing someone out of spite as Labour have now done.

Posted on 23 June 2009 22:12 by Don't Call Me Dave

A truly democratic vote demands no 'secrecy' but a public show of hands.

Posted on 24 June 2009 10:33 by Jean Baker

Nearly choked on my cocoa when on Newsnight you said you were voting for Bercow in the final round. But that's your privilege, Douglas. He seems to me to be interested only in Bercow. But we shall see how he performs.

(Ha, ha. I like the comment which appears to endow you with the deviousness and power to get rid of Martin just so you could get Bercow in. Will this go down as one of the great conspiracy theories?).

Posted on 24 June 2009 14:42 by Peer Thomas

I am disappointed that someone in your position has been fooled, or, courted by an uber expenses abuser, who played to the gallery and you with his mimic of a fellow MP not classy, tut tut, this was supposed to be the chance for the House to come together, not, be split by someone who has courted this post with vulgarity. The electorate sent clear signals on what they hoped for ie: MP's to change and yet this MP appears worse than Martin.

He is Labour in all but name and was elected out of spite.

Posted on 25 June 2009 19:43 by Teebiebrown

Am I the only voter less concerned with MPs expenses fiddling than with the vast amounts of our cash the Government has given bankers so that they can continue to have such gross (in both senses) salaries and pensions? Bercow may perhaps be able to clean up the Commons but he will not clean up the Government's finances. Who will do that for the poor taxpayer?

Posted on 26 June 2009 18:15 by John

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