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In 2003, Bercow praised prime minister [[Tony Blair]] for his speech about [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction|Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction]]. He wrote, "Congratulations on your superb speech in the Iraq debate. On this subject, as on many other foreign affairs issues, you have provided outstanding statesmanship."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1368237/Why-Speaker-John-Bercow-makes-David-Cameron-spit-blood.html#ixzz3ZrLPOm4W|title=The making of Mr. Squeaker: A phobia about wasps. Naked ambition. And why Mr. Speaker makes David Cameron spit blood|work=[[Daily Mail]]|author=Bobby Friedman|date=15 December 2014|accessdate=12 May 2015|location=London}}</ref> In November 2003, the new Conservative leader [[Michael Howard]] appointed Bercow as Shadow [[Secretary of State for International Development]]. However, he went on to clash with Howard over taxes, immigration and [[Iraq]],<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aKPpzn_RL0rA Bercow Says He's Relieved to Quit U.K. Conservatives] bloomberg.com, 26 June 2009</ref> and was sacked from the front bench in September 2004 after telling Howard that [[Ann Widdecombe]] was right to have said that there was "something of the night about him".<ref>
In 2003, Bercow praised prime minister [[Tony Blair]] for his speech about [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction|Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction]]. He wrote, "Congratulations on your superb speech in the Iraq debate. On this subject, as on many other foreign affairs issues, you have provided outstanding statesmanship."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1368237/Why-Speaker-John-Bercow-makes-David-Cameron-spit-blood.html#ixzz3ZrLPOm4W|title=The making of Mr. Squeaker: A phobia about wasps. Naked ambition. And why Mr. Speaker makes David Cameron spit blood|work=[[Daily Mail]]|author=Bobby Friedman|date=15 December 2014|accessdate=12 May 2015|location=London}}</ref> In November 2003, the new Conservative leader [[Michael Howard]] appointed Bercow as Shadow [[Secretary of State for International Development]]. However, he went on to clash with Howard over taxes, immigration and [[Iraq]],<ref>[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aKPpzn_RL0rA Bercow Says He's Relieved to Quit U.K. Conservatives] bloomberg.com, 26 June 2009</ref> and was sacked from the front bench in September 2004 after telling Howard that [[Ann Widdecombe]] was right to have said that there was "something of the night about him".<ref>
[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/jun/22/john-bercow-profile Profile: Commons Speaker, John Bercow], ''The Guardian'', 22 June 2009</ref> Bercow has a long-standing interest in [[Burma]] and frequently raised issues of democracy and genocide in the country. In 2006 he was made a patron of the [[Tory Reform Group]].<ref>[http://www.trg.org.uk/aaa/about_people.php About People page], Tory Reform Group</ref> In 2001, he also supported the ban on MPs becoming members of the [[Conservative Monday Club|Monday Club]], an organisation of which he is a former member (see above).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/1584463.stm|title=Tory MPs resign from far-right club|work=BBC News |date=7 October 2001|accessdate=24 November 2007}}</ref>
[https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/jun/22/john-bercow-profile Profile: Commons Speaker, John Bercow], ''The Guardian'', 22 June 2009</ref> Bercow has a long-standing interest in [[Burma]] and frequently raised issues of democracy and genocide in the country. In 2006 he was made a patron of the [[Tory Reform Group]].<ref>[http://www.trg.org.uk/aaa/about_people.php About People page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208184224/http://www.trg.org.uk/aaa/about_people.php |date= 8 February 2007 }}, Tory Reform Group</ref> In 2001, he also supported the ban on MPs becoming members of the [[Conservative Monday Club|Monday Club]], an organisation of which he is a former member (see above).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk_politics/1584463.stm|title=Tory MPs resign from far-right club|work=BBC News |date=7 October 2001|accessdate=24 November 2007}}</ref>


Bercow was formerly the treasurer of the [[All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples]],<ref>{{cite book | title=Dod's parliamentary companion | volume=178 | first1=Charles Roger | last1=Dod | authorlink1 = Charles Dod | first2=Robert Phipps | last2=Dod | publisher=Dod's Parliamentary Companion Ltd. | year=2010 | isbn=0-905702-89-1 | page=1025 }}</ref> an [[All-party parliamentary group|APPG]] composed of over 30 cross-party MPs which aims to raise parliamentary and public awareness of tribal peoples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.appg-tribalpeoples.org.uk/|title=All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples website|work=Appg-tribalpeoples.org.uk|accessdate=30 November 2010}}</ref>
Bercow was formerly the treasurer of the [[All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples]],<ref>{{cite book | title=Dod's parliamentary companion | volume=178 | first1=Charles Roger | last1=Dod | authorlink1 = Charles Dod | first2=Robert Phipps | last2=Dod | publisher=Dod's Parliamentary Companion Ltd. | year=2010 | isbn=0-905702-89-1 | page=1025 }}</ref> an [[All-party parliamentary group|APPG]] composed of over 30 cross-party MPs which aims to raise parliamentary and public awareness of tribal peoples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.appg-tribalpeoples.org.uk/|title=All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples website|work=Appg-tribalpeoples.org.uk|accessdate=30 November 2010}}</ref>


Bercow won the Stonewall award for Politician of the Year in 2010 for his work to support equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.<ref>[http://www.lesbilicious.co.uk] Stonewall 2010</ref> He was given a score of 100% in favour of lesbian, gay and bisexual equality by Stonewall.<ref>[http://www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/stonewall_mp_voting_records_2010_1.pdf] Stonewall 2010</ref>
Bercow won the Stonewall award for Politician of the Year in 2010 for his work to support equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.<ref>[http://www.lesbilicious.co.uk] Stonewall 2010</ref> He was given a score of 100% in favour of lesbian, gay and bisexual equality by Stonewall.<ref>[http://www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/stonewall_mp_voting_records_2010_1.pdf]{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Stonewall 2010</ref>


=== Opposition MP of the Year ===
=== Opposition MP of the Year ===
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Bercow had long campaigned quietly to become Speaker<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/simon-carr/the-sketch-bercow-makes-a-play-for-the-big-chair-789345.html|work=The Independent|title=The Sketch: Bercow makes a play for the big chair|first=Simon|last=Carr|date=29 February 2008|accessdate=6 May 2010|location=London}}</ref> and was touted as a successor to [[Michael Martin, Baron Martin of Springburn|Michael Martin]]. On 20 May 2009, he officially announced his intention to stand in the [[Speaker of the British House of Commons election, 2009|Speakership election]], which had been triggered by Martin's resignation, and launched his manifesto for the job.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nicholas|last1=Watt|title=John Bercow says he is ready for the Speaker's role|work=The Guardian |location=UK|date=20 May 2009|accessdate=20 May 2009|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/may/20/commons-speaker-michael-martin-john-bercow}}</ref> In reference to his decision to run, Bercow said: "I wanted it because I felt that there was a task to be undertaken and that's about strengthening backbench involvement and opportunity in parliament, and helping parliament get off its knees and recognise that it isn't just there as a rubber-stamping operation for the government of the day, and as necessary and appropriate to contradict and expose the government of the day."<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news|last=Jowit|first=Juliette|title=Guardian.co Bercow defends his record|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/aug/14/john-bercow-defends-record-speaker|accessdate=23 August 2012|work=The Guardian|date=14 August 2012|location=London}}</ref>
Bercow had long campaigned quietly to become Speaker<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/simon-carr/the-sketch-bercow-makes-a-play-for-the-big-chair-789345.html|work=The Independent|title=The Sketch: Bercow makes a play for the big chair|first=Simon|last=Carr|date=29 February 2008|accessdate=6 May 2010|location=London}}</ref> and was touted as a successor to [[Michael Martin, Baron Martin of Springburn|Michael Martin]]. On 20 May 2009, he officially announced his intention to stand in the [[Speaker of the British House of Commons election, 2009|Speakership election]], which had been triggered by Martin's resignation, and launched his manifesto for the job.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nicholas|last1=Watt|title=John Bercow says he is ready for the Speaker's role|work=The Guardian |location=UK|date=20 May 2009|accessdate=20 May 2009|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/may/20/commons-speaker-michael-martin-john-bercow}}</ref> In reference to his decision to run, Bercow said: "I wanted it because I felt that there was a task to be undertaken and that's about strengthening backbench involvement and opportunity in parliament, and helping parliament get off its knees and recognise that it isn't just there as a rubber-stamping operation for the government of the day, and as necessary and appropriate to contradict and expose the government of the day."<ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news|last=Jowit|first=Juliette|title=Guardian.co Bercow defends his record|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2012/aug/14/john-bercow-defends-record-speaker|accessdate=23 August 2012|work=The Guardian|date=14 August 2012|location=London}}</ref>


In the first round of the election on 22 June, Bercow received 179 votes – more than any other candidate, but short of the majority required for victory. In the third and final round of voting later that day, he defeated [[Sir George Young, 6th Baronet|Sir George Young]] by 322 votes to 271,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.parliament.uk/2009/06/election-of-the-speaker-latest/|title=Election of the Speaker|work=News.parliament.uk|date=21 April 2010|accessdate=30 November 2010}}</ref> and was approved by the Queen at 10pm that night as the 157th Speaker. In accordance with convention, he rescinded his Conservative party membership.<ref name=beds>{{cite web|url=http://www.beds.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/chancellor |title=Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire |publisher=beds.ac.uk |date= |accessdate=10 May 2015}}</ref><ref name=bbc>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32145429 |title=How election results are calculated and reported – BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=30 April 2015 |accessdate=10 May 2015}}</ref>
In the first round of the election on 22 June, Bercow received 179 votes – more than any other candidate, but short of the majority required for victory. In the third and final round of voting later that day, he defeated [[Sir George Young, 6th Baronet|Sir George Young]] by 322 votes to 271,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.parliament.uk/2009/06/election-of-the-speaker-latest/ |title=Election of the Speaker |work=News.parliament.uk |date=21 April 2010 |accessdate=30 November 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630013226/http://news.parliament.uk/2009/06/election-of-the-speaker-latest/ |archivedate=30 June 2009 |df= }}</ref> and was approved by the Queen at 10pm that night as the 157th Speaker. In accordance with convention, he rescinded his Conservative party membership.<ref name=beds>{{cite web|url=http://www.beds.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/chancellor |title=Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire |publisher=beds.ac.uk |date= |accessdate=10 May 2015}}</ref><ref name=bbc>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32145429 |title=How election results are calculated and reported – BBC News |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=30 April 2015 |accessdate=10 May 2015}}</ref>


Bercow's election as Speaker was controversial because he is believed to have had the support of very few MPs from his former party. Conservative MPs generally viewed Bercow with distrust because of his changing political views (having moved over the years from being very right-wing to become more socially liberal, leading to clashes with past party leaders), his acceptance of an advisory role from the Labour government (a party he had often been rumoured to be on the verge of joining), his general lack of good relations with fellow MPs from the Conservatives, and his vigorous campaigning for the Speaker's job. It has been speculated that he received the votes of as few as three of his fellow Conservative MPs. However, he received the votes of a large number of Labour MPs, many of whom were angered at the way they perceived Michael Martin to have been hounded out of the job and wanted his replacement to be someone who was not a favourite of the Conservative Party.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6565099.ece Farewell to tights as new Speaker John Bercow presides over Commons], ''The Times'', 24 June 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13919553 Laws, sausages, speakers], ''The Economist'', 25 June 2009</ref>
Bercow's election as Speaker was controversial because he is believed to have had the support of very few MPs from his former party. Conservative MPs generally viewed Bercow with distrust because of his changing political views (having moved over the years from being very right-wing to become more socially liberal, leading to clashes with past party leaders), his acceptance of an advisory role from the Labour government (a party he had often been rumoured to be on the verge of joining), his general lack of good relations with fellow MPs from the Conservatives, and his vigorous campaigning for the Speaker's job. It has been speculated that he received the votes of as few as three of his fellow Conservative MPs. However, he received the votes of a large number of Labour MPs, many of whom were angered at the way they perceived Michael Martin to have been hounded out of the job and wanted his replacement to be someone who was not a favourite of the Conservative Party.<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6565099.ece Farewell to tights as new Speaker John Bercow presides over Commons], ''The Times'', 24 June 2009</ref><ref>[http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13919553 Laws, sausages, speakers], ''The Economist'', 25 June 2009</ref>

Revision as of 04:32, 24 April 2017

The Right Honourable
John Bercow
MP
Speaker of the House of Commons
Incumbent
Assumed office
22 June 2009
MonarchElizabeth II
DeputySir Alan Haselhurst
Lindsay Hoyle
Preceded byMichael Martin
Shadow Secretary of State for International Development
In office
10 November 2003 – 8 September 2004
LeaderMichael Howard
Preceded byCaroline Spelman
Succeeded byAlan Duncan
Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
In office
18 September 2001 – 23 July 2002
LeaderIain Duncan Smith
Preceded byOliver Letwin
Succeeded byHoward Flight
Member of Parliament
for Buckingham
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 May 1997
Preceded byGeorge Walden
Majority22,942 (42.7%)
Personal details
Born
John Simon Bercow

(1963-01-19) 19 January 1963 (age 61)
Edgware, Middlesex, England
Political party
Spouse
​
(m. 2002)​
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Essex
Websitewww.johnbercow.co.uk Edit this at Wikidata
Bercow's voice
from the BBC programme Westminster Hour, 10 January 2010[1]

John Simon Bercow (born 19 January 1963) is a British politician who has been the Speaker of the House of Commons since June 2009. Prior to his election to Speaker, he was a member of the Conservative Party. A former hardline right-winger who changed his views after becoming an MP and at one time was rumoured to be likely to defect to the Labour Party, Bercow's election to the Speaker's chair depended heavily on the backing of other parties, and was deeply unpopular with many of his former colleagues.[2]

He served as a councillor from 1986 to 1990 and unsuccessfully contested parliamentary seats in the 1987 and 1992 general elections. In the 1997 general election, Bercow was elected the MP for Buckingham and promoted to the shadow cabinet in 2001. He held posts in the shadow cabinets of Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard. In November 2002, he resigned from the shadow cabinet over disputes concerning the Adoption and Children Act but returned under Howard in 2003. In September 2004, Bercow was sacked after disagreements with Howard.

Following the resignation of Speaker Michael Martin, Bercow announced his intention to stand for the Speakership election on 22 June 2009 and was successful. He remained Speaker and was re-elected in his constituency at the general election on 7 May 2015. He was re-elected as Speaker, unopposed, when the House sat at the start of the new parliament on 18 May 2015.[3]

In 2014, Bercow was appointed Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire.[4]

Early life and education

Bercow was born to an British Jewish family in Edgware, Middlesex.[5] His paternal grandparents were Jews who arrived in Britain from Romania a century ago.[6][7] The son of a taxi driver, Bercow attended Frith Manor Primary School in Woodside Park, and Finchley Manorhill, a large comprehensive school in North Finchley. In his youth, Bercow had been ranked Britain's No.1 junior tennis player, but he was too short to pursue a professional career.[8]

Bercow graduated with a first-class honours degree in government from the University of Essex in 1985.[9] Professor Anthony King said "When he was a student here, he was very right-wing, pretty stroppy, and very good. He was an outstanding student."[9] As a young activist, Bercow was a member of the right-wing Conservative Monday Club, becoming secretary of its immigration and repatriation committee. However, at the age of 20 he left the club, citing the views of many of the club's members as his reason.[10]

In 1981, Bercow stood as a candidate for the national executive of the Monday Club and called for a programme of "assisted repatriation" of immigrants.[11] He has since then called his participation in the club "utter madness" and dismissed the views he had espoused when part of the club.[11]

Pre-political career

After graduating from the University of Essex, Bercow was elected as the last national chairman of the Federation of Conservative Students (FCS), 1986–87.[9] The FCS was then broken up by the chairman of the Conservative Party, Norman Tebbit, after one of its members had accused previous Tory PM Harold Macmillan of war crimes in extraditing Cossacks to the Soviet Union.[12] Bercow attracted the attention of the Conservative leadership, and in 1987 he was appointed by Tebbit as vice-chairman of the Conservative Collegiate Forum (the successor organisation of the FCS) to head the campaign for student support in the run-up to the 1987 general election.

After a spell in merchant banking, Bercow joined the lobbying firm Rowland Sallingbury Casey (part of Saatchi & Saatchi) in 1988, becoming a board director within five years.

With fellow Conservative Julian Lewis, Bercow ran an advanced speaking and campaigning course for over 10 years, which trained over 600 Conservatives (including several current MPs) in campaigning and communication techniques. He has also lectured in the United States to students of the Leadership Institute.[13]

Political career

Councillor

In 1986, Bercow was elected as a Conservative councillor in the London Borough of Lambeth, and served for four years. In 1987, he was appointed the youngest deputy group leader in the United Kingdom.[14]

Special adviser

In 1995, Bercow was appointed as a special adviser to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Jonathan Aitken. After Aitken's resignation to fight a libel action, Bercow served as a special adviser to the Secretary of State for National Heritage, Virginia Bottomley.

Parliamentary career

Bercow in Poland in 2010

Bercow was an unsuccessful Conservative candidate in the 1987 general election in Motherwell South, and again at the 1992 general election in Bristol South. In 1996 he paid £1,000 to charter a helicopter so that he could attend the selection meetings for two safe Conservative parliamentary seats on the same day – Buckingham and Surrey Heath – and was selected as the candidate for Buckingham. He has referred to the hiring of the helicopter as "the best £1,000 I have ever spent".[14]

Bercow was first elected to parliament in the 1997 general election as the MP for Buckingham with a majority of 12,386. He then increased his majority at the 2005 general election being elected by a margin of 18,129 votes. He was also re-elected at the 2010 general election, but with a reduced majority of 12,529.

Bercow rose quickly through the opposition's junior offices. He was appointed a frontbench spokesman for Education and Employment in June 1999, and then a frontbench spokesman for Home Affairs in July 2000, before being brought into the shadow cabinet in 2001 by the Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith. He served as Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury from September 2001 to July 2002, and as Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions from July to November 2002. During this first spell on the front benches, Bercow publicly said that he did not think he was ruthless enough to reach the top of politics.[15] In November 2002, when the Labour government introduced the Adoption and Children Act, which would allow unmarried gay and heterosexual couples to adopt children, Duncan Smith imposed a three-line whip requiring Conservative MPs to vote against the bill rather than allowing a free vote. In protest, Bercow defied the whips and voted with Labour arguing that it should be a free vote. He then resigned from the front bench.[16] As a backbencher he was openly critical of Duncan Smith's leadership, declaring that he was about as likely to "meet an Eskimo in the desert" as Duncan Smith was to win the next general election.[17]

In 2003, Bercow praised prime minister Tony Blair for his speech about Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction. He wrote, "Congratulations on your superb speech in the Iraq debate. On this subject, as on many other foreign affairs issues, you have provided outstanding statesmanship."[18] In November 2003, the new Conservative leader Michael Howard appointed Bercow as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. However, he went on to clash with Howard over taxes, immigration and Iraq,[19] and was sacked from the front bench in September 2004 after telling Howard that Ann Widdecombe was right to have said that there was "something of the night about him".[20] Bercow has a long-standing interest in Burma and frequently raised issues of democracy and genocide in the country. In 2006 he was made a patron of the Tory Reform Group.[21] In 2001, he also supported the ban on MPs becoming members of the Monday Club, an organisation of which he is a former member (see above).[22]

Bercow was formerly the treasurer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples,[23] an APPG composed of over 30 cross-party MPs which aims to raise parliamentary and public awareness of tribal peoples.[24]

Bercow won the Stonewall award for Politician of the Year in 2010 for his work to support equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.[25] He was given a score of 100% in favour of lesbian, gay and bisexual equality by Stonewall.[26]

Opposition MP of the Year

In 2005, Bercow won the Channel Four/Hansard Society Political Award for 'Opposition MP of the Year'. He said:

In addition to pursuing a wide variety of local issues, I have attempted to question, probe and scrutinise the Government in the House of Commons on important national and international topics which concern people. Over the last 12 months, I have constantly pressed the case for reform of world trade rules to give the poorest people on the planet a chance to sell their products and improve their quality of life. The plight of the people of Darfur, Western Sudan, has also been a regular theme. They have suffered too much for too long with too little done about the situation. I shall go on arguing for Britain to take the lead in the international community in seeking decisive action for peace and justice.[27]

Rumours of defection

Following the defection of Conservative MP Quentin Davies to the Labour Party in June 2007, there were persistent rumours that Bercow was likely to be the next Conservative MP to leave the party.[28]

Bercow did not defect to Labour, but in September 2007, prime minister Gordon Brown announced that Bercow had accepted an advisory post on the Labour government's review of support for children with speech, language and communication special needs. The Conservative Party chairman, Caroline Spelman, confirmed that this appointment was with the consent of the Conservative Party.[29] Bercow had a long-term interest in this topic, as his son Oliver has been diagnosed with autism.[30]

The Bercow review

In 2008, Bercow was asked by Labour cabinet members Ed Balls and Alan Johnson to produce a substantial review of children and families affected by speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). After the report, the government pledged £52 million to raise the profile of SLCN within the education field.

The review looks at the extreme consequences to which communication problems can lead; from initial frustration at not being able to express oneself, to bullying or being bullied at school, fewer job prospects and even a descent into criminality.[31][32]

The interim report highlighted a number of core issues: that speech, language and communication are not only essential life skills but fundamental human rights; that early identification of problems and intervention is important to avoid social problems later on; and that the current system of treatment is patchy, i.e. there is a need for services to be continually provided for children and families from an early age.[33][34]

Role in expenses scandal

Until 2008/09 Bercow usually claimed the maximum available amount for the 'Additional Costs Allowance' to pay for the cost of staying away from his main home. However, in 2007/08 and 2008/09 his total expenses were amongst the lowest claimed by MPs (coming 631st and 640th, respectively, out of 645 and 647).[35]

During the 2009 expenses scandal, it was revealed that Bercow changed the designation of his second home on more than one occasion – meaning that he avoided paying capital gains tax on the sale of two properties. He also claimed just under £1,000 to hire an accountant to fill in his tax returns. Bercow denied any wrongdoing, but agreed to pay £6,508 to cover any tax that he may have had to pay to HM Revenue and Customs.[36]

It was revealed in 2014 that the House of Commons authorities have destroyed all evidence of MPs' expenses claims prior to 2010. Bercow faces accusations that he has presided over what has been dubbed a "fresh cover-up" of the expenses scandal.[37]

In July 2015 Bercow was again criticised for the amount of his expenses, including a claim of £172 for a 0.7 mile chauffeur-driven journey. Andy Silvester, campaign director at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "This is an obscene waste of money and shows appalling judgment from whoever made the arrangements."[38]

Speaker of the House of Commons

Bercow, speaking at the Institute for Government, 2011

Bercow had long campaigned quietly to become Speaker[39] and was touted as a successor to Michael Martin. On 20 May 2009, he officially announced his intention to stand in the Speakership election, which had been triggered by Martin's resignation, and launched his manifesto for the job.[40] In reference to his decision to run, Bercow said: "I wanted it because I felt that there was a task to be undertaken and that's about strengthening backbench involvement and opportunity in parliament, and helping parliament get off its knees and recognise that it isn't just there as a rubber-stamping operation for the government of the day, and as necessary and appropriate to contradict and expose the government of the day."[41]

In the first round of the election on 22 June, Bercow received 179 votes – more than any other candidate, but short of the majority required for victory. In the third and final round of voting later that day, he defeated Sir George Young by 322 votes to 271,[42] and was approved by the Queen at 10pm that night as the 157th Speaker. In accordance with convention, he rescinded his Conservative party membership.[4][43]

Bercow's election as Speaker was controversial because he is believed to have had the support of very few MPs from his former party. Conservative MPs generally viewed Bercow with distrust because of his changing political views (having moved over the years from being very right-wing to become more socially liberal, leading to clashes with past party leaders), his acceptance of an advisory role from the Labour government (a party he had often been rumoured to be on the verge of joining), his general lack of good relations with fellow MPs from the Conservatives, and his vigorous campaigning for the Speaker's job. It has been speculated that he received the votes of as few as three of his fellow Conservative MPs. However, he received the votes of a large number of Labour MPs, many of whom were angered at the way they perceived Michael Martin to have been hounded out of the job and wanted his replacement to be someone who was not a favourite of the Conservative Party.[44][45]

Bercow is the first Speaker who is Jewish,[46] the first Speaker to have been elected by an exhaustive ballot, and the first Speaker not to wear traditional court robes while presiding over the House of Commons.[47] However, in accordance with tradition, Bercow does now display his coat of arms at Speaker's House.[48]

To mark the centenary of the Parliament Act 1911, Bercow commissioned a series of lectures about the main political figures of the century. The Speaker's Lectures continued in 2012 and 2013 with different topics.

On 26 March 2015, the House of Commons defeated a government motion (introduced by former Conservative party leader and then leader of the House of Commons William Hague) to require there to be a secret ballot vote on whether Bercow remain speaker after the 2015 general election. A number of MPs described it as an underhand plot to oust Bercow, largely based on the timing of the motion just before the dissolution of Parliament, when some Labour MPs expected to oppose it had already returned to their constituencies.[49][50][51][52] In the event, Bercow was re-elected unopposed as Speaker following the general election.

On 6 February 2017, Bercow said in the house that he would be "strongly opposed" to US President Donald Trump addressing the Houses of Parliament during his planned state visit to the UK, and told MPs that "opposition to racism and sexism" were "hugely important considerations".[53] The comments proved controversial and made the headlines in many UK newspapers the following day,[54] with some such as Guardian columnist Owen Jones,[55] Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP Dennis Skinner and Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron supporting this intervention.[56] However, his comments were criticised even by some opponents of Donald Trump (such as Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi) for being hypocritical and undermining the Speaker's neutrality,[57] and some in the government reportedly felt that Bercow had overstepped his role.[56] John Whittingdale, the Conservative MP for Maldon and a former Culture Secretary, dismissed Bercow's remarks as "playing to the gallery for as much publicity as possible",[58] and Bercow himself apologised to the Lord Speaker The Lord Fowler over a lack of consultation over his remarks.[59]

2010 general election

The Speaker of the House of Commons is traditionally seen as outside party politics, and is often not challenged by the main parties at general elections, including the 2010 general election. In September 2009, Nigel Farage resigned his leadership of the UK Independence Party to stand for Bercow's Buckingham seat, asserting, "This man represents all that is wrong with British politics today. He was embroiled in the expenses saga and he presides over a Parliament that virtually does nothing."[60][61] John Stevens, another candidate, found support for his campaign from the former Independent MP Martin Bell.[62] Bercow also faced opposition from the British National Party and the Christian Party.[63]

As Bercow lacked a party endorsement and therefore a campaign team, he sought to build one and a group of his supporters known as 'Friends of Speaker Bercow' solicited donations for the campaign, aiming to raise £40,000. When one of their letters was received by a member of the UK Independence Party, the recipient referred it to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, complaining that it appeared that Bercow's fundraising campaign was operating from the Speaker's Office, which is required to remain politically neutral.[64] The Commissioner declined to launch an investigation because of the lack of evidence of involvement of the Speaker's Office.[65]

2015 general election

Bercow was returned as an MP in the 2015 general election. The election was notable for the 1,289 spoilt ballot papers.[66]

Personal life

Bercow married Sally Illman in 2002 and they have three children.[2] His wife used to be a Conservative who switched to supporting the Labour Party, campaigning for both her husband individually and Labour in the wider election in 1997, though Bercow and those close to him reject the view that she was especially influential in softening his right-wing political views.[2][67]

Bercow is a humanist, and before taking the role of Speaker was a member of the All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group.[68] When discussing the role of clergy in Parliament, he described himself in a Commons debate as "an irreligious person taking a secular interest in an important subject".[69]

Bercow has been a fan of Arsenal F.C. since January 1971 and is a season ticket holder. He always attends games with his son.[70]

Controversies

Speaker's residence controversy

Within weeks of taking office as Speaker, Bercow ordered a redecoration and refurbishment of the Speaker's grace and favour apartment in the Palace of Westminster, buying a large television and a DVD player; the work cost £20,659 and was paid for by parliament. It followed previous extensive work on the apartment under the previous Speaker.[71] Publicity was given to a bill of more than £600 for food and drink in the Palace of Westminster in April 2010, when the financial controller of the House of Commons wrote informing Bercow that there were "items which have been outstanding for at least two months" on it; it was paid later in the month.[72]

Titles and honours

Styles of address

  • 1963–1997: Mr John Simon Bercow
  • 1997–2009: Mr John Simon Bercow MP
  • 2009–: The Rt Hon John Simon Bercow MP

Honours

References

  1. ^ "10/01/2010". Westminster Hour. 10 January 2010. BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 18 January 2014. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |seriesno= and |transcripturl= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c Wheeler, Brian (24 June 2009). "The John Bercow story". BBC. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  3. ^ "John Bercow to continue as Commons Speaker with MPs' backing – BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 18 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire". beds.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  5. ^ Elgot, Jessica. "New Jewish ministers and the Miliband rivalry". The Jewish Chronicle.
  6. ^ Woolf, Marie (2 August 2004). "John Bercow: 'I have been to Sudan ... seen the poorest people on the planet. They need our help'". The Independent. London. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  7. ^ Rayner, Gordon (26 June 2009). "Speaker John Bercow called for 'assisted repatriation' of immigrants". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  8. ^ Diary: Norton cool on Claudia show, Independent, 2009
  9. ^ a b c "Essex graduate new speaker, Colchester Campus, Government, 23 June 2009". University of Essex. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  10. ^ Isaby, Jonathan (4 November 2002). "Profile: John Bercow". BBC News. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
  11. ^ a b Rayner, Gordon; Bingham, John (10 July 2010). "Speaker John Bercow called for 'assisted repatriation' of immigrants". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  12. ^ John Stevens (21 August 1986). "Tories sue student editor over Macmillan war crimes charges". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 9.
  13. ^ John Bercow: Little Mr Turncoat in an awfully big chair, The Sunday Times, 28 June 2009
  14. ^ a b Wheeler, Brian (24 June 2009). "The John Bercow story". BBC News. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  15. ^ Sam Coates, "Burning ambition of man who won in spite of his own party", The Times, 23 June 2009, p 6.
  16. ^ "Tory resigns over adoption vote". BBC News. 4 November 2002. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
  17. ^ "Brian Reade – News Columnists". Daily Mirror. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  18. ^ Bobby Friedman (15 December 2014). "The making of Mr. Squeaker: A phobia about wasps. Naked ambition. And why Mr. Speaker makes David Cameron spit blood". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  19. ^ Bercow Says He's Relieved to Quit U.K. Conservatives bloomberg.com, 26 June 2009
  20. ^ Profile: Commons Speaker, John Bercow, The Guardian, 22 June 2009
  21. ^ About People page Archived 8 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Tory Reform Group
  22. ^ "Tory MPs resign from far-right club". BBC News. 7 October 2001. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
  23. ^ Dod, Charles Roger; Dod, Robert Phipps (2010). Dod's parliamentary companion. Vol. 178. Dod's Parliamentary Companion Ltd. p. 1025. ISBN 0-905702-89-1.
  24. ^ "All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tribal Peoples website". Appg-tribalpeoples.org.uk. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  25. ^ [1] Stonewall 2010
  26. ^ [2][permanent dead link] Stonewall 2010
  27. ^ "Opposition MP of the Year for 2005". Buckingham Conservative Association. 8 February 2005. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
  28. ^ "Bercow defection is expected at time of maximum embarrassment". ConservativeHome.com. 14 July 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
  29. ^ "Mercer and Bercow to advise Brown". BBC News. 3 September 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2007.
  30. ^ "House of Commons Hansard Debates for 1 Feb 2008 (pt 0004)". Publications.parliament.uk. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  31. ^ "The Bercow Review". Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  32. ^ Bercow, John (2008). The Bercow Report. Department for Education (UK). Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  33. ^ "Bercow Review: Speech, Language & Communication Services for Children and Young People Must Improve". Department for Children, Schools and Families. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  34. ^ Bercow, John (2008). Bercow Review of Services for Children and Young people (0–19) with Speech, Language and Communication Needs – Interim Report. Department for Education (UK). Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  35. ^ "John Bercow MP, Buckingham". TheyWorkForYou.com. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  36. ^ Rayner, Gordon (23 June 2009). "Speaker election: John Bercow's expenses claims back in spotlight". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  37. ^ MPs to escape expenses investigations after paperwork destroyed by Parliament, Matthew Holehouse, The Daily Telegraph, 20 Nov 2014
  38. ^ Wilkinson, Michael (24 July 2015). "George Osborne's deputy slams John Bercow for claiming £172 for 0.7 mile journey". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  39. ^ Carr, Simon (29 February 2008). "The Sketch: Bercow makes a play for the big chair". The Independent. London. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  40. ^ Watt, Nicholas (20 May 2009). "John Bercow says he is ready for the Speaker's role". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  41. ^ Jowit, Juliette (14 August 2012). "Guardian.co Bercow defends his record". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  42. ^ "Election of the Speaker". News.parliament.uk. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ "How election results are calculated and reported – BBC News". Bbc.co.uk. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  44. ^ Farewell to tights as new Speaker John Bercow presides over Commons, The Times, 24 June 2009
  45. ^ Laws, sausages, speakers, The Economist, 25 June 2009
  46. ^ "British lawmakers elect first Jewish speaker". JTA. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  47. ^ Webster, Philip (24 June 2009). "Farewell to tights as new Speaker John Bercow presides over Commons". The Times. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  48. ^ Ross, Tim (2 December 2011). "John Bercow's coat of arms cost more than we thought". London: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
  49. ^ "Bid to change Speaker rules defeated amid emotional scenes". BBC News. 26 March 2015.
  50. ^ editor, Patrick Wintour Political (26 March 2015). "Tory backbench rebellion defeats Hague's attempt to unseat Speaker" – via The Guardian. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  51. ^ Holehouse, Matthew (26 March 2015). "Sour end to Parliament for Tories as 'plot' against Bercow is routed". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  52. ^ Wright, Oliver (26 March 2015). "John Bercow: Government's 'squalid' plot to oust the Speaker fails". The Independent. London.
  53. ^ "Speaker Bercow: Trump should not speak in Parliament". 6 February 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  54. ^ Staff (7 February 2017). "Newspaper headlines: John Bercow 'silences' Donald Trump" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  55. ^ Jones, Owen (7 February 2017). "All praise to John Bercow for refusing to bow to racist, sexist Donald Trump". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  56. ^ a b Chorley, Matt (7 February 2017). "Speaker's intervention causes a ruckus". Red Box. The Times. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  57. ^ Zahawi, Nadhim (7 February 2017). "John Bercow is wrong. The Speaker must be impartial, even about Trump". The Guardian.
  58. ^ Hughes, Laura (7 February 2017). "Lord Speaker to attack John Bercow over Donald Trump intervention". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  59. ^ Walker, Peter; Asthana, Anushka; Elgot, Jessica (7 February 2017). "John Bercow apologises to Lords counterpart amid Trump visit row". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  60. ^ "Farage to stand against Bercow". The Spectator. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  61. ^ Smith, Jon (3 September 2009). "Farage to stand against speaker Bercow". The Independent. London. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  62. ^ "In Buckingham, the Bell tolls for Blair". The Independent. London. 16 April 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  63. ^ "Buckingham". BBC News. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  64. ^ Jagger, Suzy; Baldwin, Tom (25 February 2010). "Complaint over fundraising letter from Friends of Speaker Bercow". The Times. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  65. ^ "No inquiry into actions of Friends of Speaker Bercow – Local". Bucks Herald. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  66. ^ "ELECTION 2015: John Bercow addresses spoilt ballot papers issue after election victory". Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser.
  67. ^ "JOHN BERCOW INTERVIEW: "INSECURITY PROPELLED ME TOWARDS HARDLINE RIGHT-WING POLITICS"". Big Issue. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  68. ^ "All Party Parliamentary Humanist Group". Her Majesty's Government. 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  69. ^ John Bercow (1 March 2001). "House of Commons (Removal of Clergy Disqualification) Bill". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). United Kingdom: House of Commons.
  70. ^ Arsene Wenger Deserves Respect! John Bercow, Speaker Of The House of Commons on YouTube
  71. ^ Porter, Andrew (4 August 2009). "MPs' expenses: speaker John Bercow's £20,000 bill for apartment". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  72. ^ Watt, Holly (28 April 2010). "General Election 2010: Speaker John Bercow warned over Parliament bar bill". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 6 May 2010.

Further reading

  • Bobby Friedman. Bercow, Mr Speaker: Rowdy Living in the Tory Party (2011) Gibson Square.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament
for Buckingham
1997–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by Speaker of the House of Commons
2009–present
Political offices
Preceded by Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury
2001–2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for International Development
2003–2004 		Succeeded by
Order of precedence in England and Wales
Preceded byas Lord President of the Council Gentlemen
as Speaker of the House of Commons 		Succeeded byas Lord Speaker
Order of precedence in Scotland
Preceded byas Lord President of the Council Gentlemen
as Speaker of the House of Commons 		Succeeded byas Lord Speaker
Order of precedence in Northern Ireland
Preceded byas Lord President of the Council Gentlemen
as Speaker of the House of Commons 		Succeeded byas Lord Speaker
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