UK speaker quits Brexit hotseat
John Bercow stepped down yesterday after 10 years as speaker of Britain’s House of Commons -- a role that rocketed him into the heart of the Brexit battle, and won him European fans.
The man in the middle of more than three years of fiery parliamentary debates has proved a controversial figure, loathed by pro-Brexit supporters and hailed by its foes.
Animated, verbose and with an idiosyncratic style, the 56-year-old Bercow has yelled “Order! Order!” more than 14,000 times during his tenure as the 157th speaker.
His detractors call him pompous -- one MP even branded him a “sanctimonious dwarf” -- but his backers say he has bolstered the rights of backbenchers to hold the government to account.
Both Britain’s main party leaders paid tribute to Bercow Wednesday as he chaired the weekly prime minister’s questions session for the final time.
“Although we may disagree about some of the legislative innovations you have favoured, there is no doubt in my mind that you have been a great servant of this parliament and of this House of Commons,” said Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn added: “You’ve done so much to reform this House of Commons and our democracy is the stronger for the way you have done it.”
Bercow will not stand in the December 12 general election. His replacement as speaker will be chosen on Monday.
Comments