Lloyd Evans Lloyd Evans

Is time up for John Bercow?

More trouble for the Speaker today. It’s becoming clear that John Bercow is not just unpopular but unlucky as well. He skipped PMQs to attend the funeral of his predecessor, Michael Martin, who was ousted by a mutiny in 2009. Newer members, perhaps believing that insurrection is the correct way to eject an unwanted speaker, may be plotting Bercow’s dethronement already. Unluckier still, he’s just earned a new tabloid nickname, ‘Bully Bercow’, over allegations of “explosive and intemperate” behaviour toward staff, which he denies and are now under investigation. The phrase has a certain felicitous musicality – like Billy Bunter – that may soften the sting of its literal meaning, but whatever happens to him the tag will stick forever. When elected he promised to serve no more than nine years in the chair, and this self-imposed deadline expires within a few weeks. Will he withdraw quietly or try to fight off his enemies?

It didn’t help that his replacement today, Lindsay Hoyle, delivered a masterclass in dextrous chairmanship. At the start Hoyle asked members for ‘succinct’ questions and for ‘pithy’ replies. His silent-but-deadly management of the session honoured both virtues. In fact he handled his responsibilities with such authority and expertise that the debate seemed to be running of its own accord without human oversight. At the end, blushing faintly, Hoyle allowed himself the tiniest lip-curl of satisfaction as the house delivered a spontaneous ovation.

‘More!’ they yelled. ‘More! More! More!’

‘Bully’ Bercow’s death-knell.

The Tories were jubilant today, as if they’d just won back the majority that May casually tossed in the dustbin last year. Bizarrely, the morose Labour benches assented to the Tories’ upbeat mood.

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