Morning:
13°c
Bercow tells MPs to make less noise and stop spinning
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent24.06.09
New Speaker John Bercow today sought to impose his authority on the Commons by warning ministers and MPs to respect key rules.
But less than 48 hours into the job, he was branded “divisive” by a shadow Cabinet member and criticised by a senior Labour MP.
After the ousting of former speaker Michael Martin, Mr Bercow, 46, faces a battle to restore the reputation of the post of Speaker.
In a brief statement to MPs, he laid out three rules he expects to be followed. He called for less noise from MPs when colleagues are speaking in the House in order to maintain “an atmosphere of calm, reasoned debate”.
Ministers should also make policy statements to Parliament first and they should not be released through the media beforehand.
He also demanded that ministers stick to allocated time for statements and give responses of a reasonable length, and that backbenchers should only ask one supplementary question.
He singled out Commons leader Harriet Harman on the issue of ministers telling the House first about major statements.
Mr Bercow also hinted that ministers in the Lords, such as Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, could be required to give statements to MPs in the Commons. He said it would require a change in the rules but it was an issue the Commons procedure committee “might wish to consider”.
But his authority was already under threat after shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said he believed Mr Bercow, who is despised by many Tories, to be the wrong man to be Speaker.
“I think to have a Speaker who is regarded as divisive is the worst possible option,” Mr Fox told his local paper the Clevedon Mercury. The shadow Cabinet member insisted that this conversation had been off-the-record but did not deny the quote.
Labour MP Frank Field, who quit the race to be the next Speaker, said it was “troubling” that Mr Bercow had not made more in his acceptance speech of his plans to reform the Commons.
“Prime Ministers and Speakers are never more powerful than at the point of election. Any reforming Speaker is going to face huge resistance here in the Commons,” he said. “That is why I was disappointed that the acceptance speech was not mainly devoted to outlining the changes the Speaker intended to bring in immediately.”
Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan yesterday described Mr Bercow as a “motivated and complex character”, adding: “I think that a lot of people are annoyed that he worked out how to get elected and got there.”
Mr Bercow was elected Speaker on Monday after winning the backing of 322 MPs, beating Tory grandee Sir George Young who got 271 votes.
However, many Tory MPs regard his election as a Labour stitch-up to avenge the toppling of Mr Martin who was the first Speaker to be forced out for more than 300 years.
Mr Bercow has promised reforms to Parliament. He is moving his young family into Speaker's House, and has chosen to wear in the chair a plain business suit and tie, with an academic gown, ditching the traditional white tie, wig and buckled shoes.
Reader views (24)
The secret ballot allowed MPs to disregard the views of their constituents. Thousands of people expressed their preference for Anne Widdecombe (every site had her as clear favourite). MPs voted to annoy their opponents, not for the good of the country. Bercow will be a disaster. He is too full of himself and too devious and spiteful.
- Beatriz, London
Bercow is an arrogant and self-serving egotist. Far from responding to public demand by electing a speaker who could gain the respect and trust of the public, MPs have voted for a man who is too keen by half to please anyone wielding power and who will do nothing to change the status quo.
It should also be noted that Bercow, like Ken Clarke (who Cameron will regret bringing back onto the front bench), is vehemently opposed to referenda. He doen't believe that we, the ordinary plebs, should have a direct say in anything. How telling that he has been elected to a position where he can decide who does and does not get to speak on our behalf. Disgraceful, yet hardly surprising.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
It is telling, how quick he is to disregard the traditions of his post. he was supposed to be dragged to his chair, but walked up ahead, and now ditches the traditional dress. How quick he will be to ditch his half hearted thoughts towards reform, time will tell. I believe he already has, or they never existed in the first place.
This is the man that was championing a pay rise to £100,000 p/a for MP's last year. Hmmmm...
- Andrew, chichester
One thing's for sure, Mr Bercow ain't in ANYONE'S pocket. Can this be his greatest shortcoming???
- Marie Pestano, Worcester Park
He couldn't be much worse than 'Gorbals Mick' but then the last speaker was a labour lover, though a Tory this is also a Labour lover, Labour have no one but them selves to blame.....Unseat him at the next election, the little upstart.
- Annie, Devon
can,t be bothered. the whole charade is a waste of time and money.
- Patrick Gardiner, london/england
Give him a chance,if he can reform the mps a little ,all to the good,but do not agree with his idea of 100 thousand salaries for them,they are already overpaid for what thedo/dont do!!!!
- Jean, London England
With his record - expenses - I wouldn't have chosen him, but he has nevertheless been elected according to the rules.
Therefore, *honourable" [sic] members should support any efforts he makes to restore the totally discredited reputation of the House. In particular it seems most desirable for ministers to return to the custom of making policy announcements to our elected representatives rather than to Messr, Humphreys, Paxman et al.
I wouldn't hold my breath, however, expecting this House of Commons to do the right thing. Far better that we have an Autumn election and put in place some legislators who can demonstrate a clear understanding of the word "honour", This lot clearly haven't the faintest notion
No "safe" seats!
- John C, Leatherhead, UK
Here we go again power going to little persons head. Since when has a tory sought to change anything!
- Ge, Kernow (Nation of)
Looks out of place in the Speakers Chair. Get rid of that aweful tie and back to he wig breeches and gaiters. And lots of gold bling.
- Dhan Raj, basildon
Yes, absolutley, Dear, Dear. Oh yes the right Honorable Gentleman really does need a Gurney, Men in White Coats, straps and a Funny Farm.
Lets hope the new Mr Speaker, Sir, can handle himself, and Parliamentry business, otherwise it will end up like a bun fight in the school playground
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia Area UK
Dear Mordwinoff,
Do you really believe that when PR man Dave is safely installed in number ten he will give full answers to every question asked? Margaret Thatcher never answered a question honestly and fully in all of her time as PM. John Major could not answer the questions as he didn't undestand them. In fact in 1997 he was claiming that his secret polls showed he was going to win the General Election. The men in white coats just felt sorry for the poor idiot.
- F Skate, Hammersmith England
Good for him ! "new brooms sweep clean"
- Jon, London
Given that Mr Bercow was the choice of the House, whatever the motivations some may have had in voting for him, I think he personally deserves a chance to establish himself and may turn out to be a good Speaker. However the knowledge that some MPs voted for him simply to spite others, suggests that he starts with a considerable handicap which serves both him and the Commons very badly indeed and which may preclude him from any reasonable chance of success.
- James Elliott, Eastbourne UK
He is obviously an arrogant ambitious little creep. But so are most M.P.s. If he can stop Government by leaks & those stupid planted questions at P.M.Q's he will get some support from the public & possibly manage to keep his job after the election.
He should also tell Brown to ANSWER THE QUESTION. Today Brown proved that it is time for the men in white coats to lead him quietly away to the Priory, prior to Broadmoor where he should end up.
- Mordwinoff, Lisle France.
Completely the wrong man for the job. His days are already numbered. He will prove to be only an interim Speaker, as as sure as night follows day he'll be out on his ear after the next election. Enjoy it while it lasts, Bercow, you won't be in that chair this time next year.
- Richard, London
He is just an idiot and why does he try to run staff after he has been in a job for one day
He should be kicked out
- Brian Challis, Southend-on-Sea, UK
Give this man a chance. What is the problem if he worked out how to get elected and did so? He wants to do the job, let him do it. There is little scope for him to frustrate any government, nor will the Tories get rid of him should they win the election. All such talk is pointlessly filling pages of newspapers. MP should shut up, buckle down and implement reforms as soon as possible. "Right Honourable" blah blah blah, please!This is 2009 for goodness sake, drop all this arcane nonsense.
- David, London
When will criminal prosecutions start against our honurable mps? as they like to call themselves! for all the fraud they have committed, sorry I mean mistakes!
British Public Demand! action be taken!
- Chris Maltby, London
Watched PMQ but was totally underwhelmed by the new Speaker. He looked out of place and was far from being an imposing figure.
Now, if he could force Gordon Brown to answer a question instead of repeating the same old rubbish time after time, I might change my opinion.
- Scotty, Cambridge UK
What a gaggle of mealy-mouthed wombles we are lumbered with in the House of Conmen and in the House of Frauds.
DOES IT REALLY NEED 645 MP's IN THE HOUSE OF CONMEN TO ATTEND TO THE BUSINESS OF STATE - ESPECIALLY AS 75% OF ALL NEW LAWS ARE NOW MADE IN BRUSSELS?
THE USA HAS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS REPRESENTATIVES IN THEIR PARLIAMENT THAN THE UK CURRENTLY HAS.
YOU COULD EASILY SACK 50% OF THE MP's IN THE HOUSE OF CONMEN AND NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE - EXCEPT IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT BEING PILFERED FROM THE EXPENSES TROUGH.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
Brown is clearly in the stages of a mental breakdown,given his behaviour on PMQ's
- Mike, Guildford UK
Often PMQ sounds like a load of aimless rabble who seem to want to do little more than use sound bites or score points off each other. The members of my school debating society behaved in a more mature manner. If John Bercow brings in more adult behaviour and stops the leaks he will get my vote!
- Man U Fan, London
Don't like him - smug, looks suspect. And is! Rather buy a used car from a dodgy salesman as at least the Public has a choice whereas he is clearly Labour's man.
and who represents Buckingham - they voted in a Tory and have John Bercow who has already said they were his precious Party.
- Gordonbay, London and Cape Town
