This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-47624436

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
John Bercow: What's the role of a Speaker in Parliament? John Bercow: What's the role of a Speaker in Parliament?
(6 months later)
You might know him as the man who shouts something that sounds like "odd-DEURRRR, odd-DEURRRRR!"You might know him as the man who shouts something that sounds like "odd-DEURRRR, odd-DEURRRRR!"
Speaker John Bercow has become the subject of numerous memes as Brexit has rumbled on over the past two years. John Bercow is the Speaker of the House of Commons and he's announced he is going to quit.
But now - by torpedoing Theresa May's "Thank U Next" approach to voting on her deal - he just placed himself firmly at the centre of the drama. He's been the subject of numerous memes during parliamentary debates on Brexit over the past few years.
So what's his role? And why is he such a big fan of order? But after a decade he's said he'll stand down at the next election if one happens or on 31 October - whichever comes first.
Firstly - what just happened again? What's that phrase again... something about an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object?
The prime minister was hoping for another chance to put her Brexit deal to a vote - it would've been the third time. That pretty much sums up his battles with the government during this whole Brexit argument.
But Speaker Bercow decided that can't happen unless the deal has changed or a new session of Parliament begins. So here's a quick look at what a Speaker does and what's next.
Everything was disguised by complicated, flowery language and references to ancient rules. But make no mistake, this was savage. Why has he been such a big figure?
John Bercow might as well have followed it up by donning a pair of sunglasses and playing a blast of Meek Mill's I'm A Boss over the Commons PA system. John Bercow has been prominent in the Brexit debate by using old conventions which date back as far as 1604.
Keeping order And he's faced major criticism from Brexiteers who have questioned his fairness in the Brexit debate and think he's trying to prevent the UK leaving - or at least push us towards a "soft" Brexit where we keep close ties to the EU.
In a break from the norm he was facing being ousted both as a Speaker and MP by his own party - the Conservatives - at the next election.
How is he replaced?
Well, the new Speaker - whoever he or she may be - will be selected by MPs using a secret ballot system.
If a candidate gets more than 50% of votes, they are elected to the post.
But if no candidate gets more than half of the vote then there are more rounds of voting.
Those with the fewest votes are eliminated and MPs keep on voting until one person gets a majority.
Traditionally, the role alternates between the two main parties - so if this is maintained, the next Speaker will be a Labour MP.
But Conservative MP Eleanor Laing - who is also a deputy speaker - has announced she'll be a candidate, as has Labour MP and Mother of the House Harriet Harman.
So with parliament and the country trundling along in uncertain political waters, it'll be interesting to see who the next person that'll be keeping "Odd-DEURRR!" is.
What's the role? And why do we need so much order?
Simply put, the Speaker is in charge of what goes on within the House of Commons.Simply put, the Speaker is in charge of what goes on within the House of Commons.
If the Commons is the TV show Pointless, then he is Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman combined. Imagine that for a second.If the Commons is the TV show Pointless, then he is Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman combined. Imagine that for a second.
So that's why he steps in when things get too rowdy with his trademark cry. Contrary to popular belief, he's not simply a fan of hors d'oeuvres.So that's why he steps in when things get too rowdy with his trademark cry. Contrary to popular belief, he's not simply a fan of hors d'oeuvres.
By tradition, the Speaker is above politics. He is supposed to represent only the rules and conventions of Parliament.By tradition, the Speaker is above politics. He is supposed to represent only the rules and conventions of Parliament.
So when he or she is elected, they cease to represent their party.So when he or she is elected, they cease to represent their party.
For the record, John Bercow was originally a Conservative MP but he's been the Speaker for nine years now.
No disrespectNo disrespect
The title of Speaker dates back to 1377, and Sir Thomas Hungerford was the first.The title of Speaker dates back to 1377, and Sir Thomas Hungerford was the first.
Back in the day it was a dangerous game.Back in the day it was a dangerous game.
No fewer than seven Speakers were beheaded before 1535.No fewer than seven Speakers were beheaded before 1535.
The modern role of the Speaker being independent from political parties evolved in the 18th and 19th centuries.The modern role of the Speaker being independent from political parties evolved in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Read interviews with John Bercow and it's clear how he sees his role today - making sure no political party disrespects Parliament by bending or breaking the rules. Read interviews with John Bercow and it's clear how he sees the role of a Speaker - making sure no political party disrespects Parliament by bending or breaking the rules.
And he says that's especially important now because no party has a majority in the House of Commons. Bercow vs. May
He has many opponents though, and has become a controversial figure in many ways over Brexit. Tensions came to a head earlier this year, when the then-prime minister Theresa May was hoping for a third chance to put her doomed Brexit deal to a vote.
Some Brexiteers just see him as a frustrated Remainer trying to prevent the UK leaving or at least push us towards a "soft" Brexit where we keep close ties to the EU. But Speaker Bercow decided that couldn't happen unless the deal had changed or a new session of Parliament started.
Everything was disguised by complicated, flowery language and references to ancient rules. But make no mistake, it was a savage blow that hastened - indeed arguably helped to cause - Mrs May's downfall.
A social SpeakerA social Speaker
In many ways, John Bercow seems tailor-made for the age of social media. In many ways, John Bercow has been tailor-made for the age of social media.
He tells it like he sees it, he shouts a lot and he even has a catchphrase.He tells it like he sees it, he shouts a lot and he even has a catchphrase.
No massive surprise, then, that he became a meme earlier this year.No massive surprise, then, that he became a meme earlier this year.
He's become popular across the rest of Europe as well, with German newspaper Die Welt claiming last weekend that he's better known there than any of our party leaders. He's become known in other parts of Europe as well, with German newspaper Die Welt claiming a few months ago that he's better known there than any of our party leaders.
The Sunday Times described him as "Europe's surprising new pin-up". That may no longer be strictly true, but what about the Sunday Times describing him as "Europe's surprising new pin-up"?
A refereeA referee
"I'm a regular at my club with my son, a season-ticket holder at Arsenal. There are 60,000 people in the crowd, who think they know better than the referee.""I'm a regular at my club with my son, a season-ticket holder at Arsenal. There are 60,000 people in the crowd, who think they know better than the referee."
That's how Mr Bercow described his role as Speaker when he was interviewed by the US broadcaster CNN.That's how Mr Bercow described his role as Speaker when he was interviewed by the US broadcaster CNN.
He also told the Guardian newspaper he's "always been passionate about Parliament", adding: "I've always believed strongly it could do a better job."He also told the Guardian newspaper he's "always been passionate about Parliament", adding: "I've always believed strongly it could do a better job."
So as Brexit rumbles on expect to hear "Odd-DEURRR" this afternoon and every weekday for quite some time to come. Probably. An earlier version of this feature was published in March.
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.