The vast majority of Tory MPs do not want John Bercow to be Speaker; I’ve only spoken to one who favours his candidacy. The Tories complain that Labour’s support for Bercow is a plot to appear bi-partisan while actually being crudely political.
Today’s Mail on Sunday editorial is a punchy expression of this viewpoint:
“It appears Gordon Brown and the Labour machine are seriously considering the officially Tory – but increasingly New Labour – MP John Bercow for the Speakership. Leaving aside the weirdly flexible Mr Bercow’s questionable qualifications for the post, this plan is actually disgraceful, and a sign that the Prime Minister and his circle have learned little, or nothing, from the events of the past few weeks. It is low politics, plainly designed as vengeance on the Tories for bringing down a Labour Speaker. And it is also full of mischief, in the hope of leaving a future Tory Government with a Speaker who is nominally sympathetic, but actually hostile.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in