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Brexit: John Bercow to step down as Speaker by 31 October – live news Brexit: John Bercow to step down as Speaker by 31 October – live news
(32 minutes later)
Here is video of John Bercow’s resignation statement.
The Labour MP Jim Cunningham has also announced he is standing down at the next election, the BBC’s Simon Gilbert reports.
BREAKING: Long-serving Coventry MP @jimforcovsouth will not stand at the next General Election.See his statement below.He had previously signalled his intention to stay on, but has seemingly had a change of heart...Colleague @Geoffrey4CovNW has already announced his retirement pic.twitter.com/OafYP0PBaq
In the Commons the Bercow leaving do tributes are still rolling on. For a different take, this from the Times’ Esther Webber.
A Commons clerk texts re Bercow: "He has reigned over a culture of bullying & harassment in the HoC that not a single MP has been punished for" (Bercow denies this)
This is from PA Media.
A new law designed to stop the government forcing through a no-deal has reached the statute book. The granting of royal assent for the legislation was announced by the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords, ahead of the suspension or prorogation of parliament.
The new act requires a delay to Brexit beyond 31 October unless a divorce deal is approved or parliament agrees to leaving the EU without one by 19 October.
Boris Johnson has previously branded it the “surrender bill”, claiming it took away control of the UK’s negotiations with the EU by allowing parliament to block no deal.
Downing Street has said the government will obey the law, but repeated that the PM would not be seeking a further extension to the article 50 withdrawal process.
In the Commons chamber the tributes to John Bercow are still coming. But not everyone is joining in. This is from the BBC’s Vicki Young.
Most Conservative MPs have left the chamber unable to stomach ongoing tributes to Speaker Bercow
One theory doing the rounds in Dublin is that Boris Johnson may pull a Northern Ireland-only backstop out of the bag at the last minute as a means of forcing a Brexit deal through parliament in between 17 October and 31 October.
The idea was mooted early on in Brexit talks but famously dropped after opposition from the DUP, which accused Theresa May of trying to break up the union of the United Kingdom by creating regulatory checks down the Irish Sea.
But Johnson’s proposal for an all-island agriculture zone is one of the key elements of the backstop and now that the DUP no longer has the leverage it had because of the changed arithmetic, some believe this is where the landing zone is.
As Daniel Boffey reported on Friday, it is understood the UK has suggested there is a need for Stormont to be able to vote on the continuation of the proposed common regulatory area, which has been described by EU officials as a “backstop-lite”.
Boris Johnson’s Irish border plan stalls after 'disastrous' EU talks
The suggestion that Stormont could have a role in dynamic regulatory alignment has been rejected by the EU, but it is being seen as a sign of the thinking in Conservative quarters.
It may also explain why efforts are being redoubled to get Stormont back up and running by the deadline for direct rule in October.
One British source said the all-island agri-zone “is a very serious proposal” and should not be dismissed, with another reporting one senior cabinet minister dropping strong hints that a Northern Ireland-only backstop is not off the table, despite statements to the contrary by Boris Johnson.
So is it possible that Johnson comes back from Brussels on 17 October with no deal, and, faced with the law that will require him to seek an extension, reverts to the original Northern Ireland-only backstop in a very last die-in-a-ditch moment?
A few months ago we posted this video with some highlights from John Bercow’s time as Speaker.
These are from the House magazine’s Seb Whale.
So, who will be the next Speaker? @theHouse_mag has interviewed a few of the runners and riders. First up, Dame Eleanor Laing, who became the first to announce she would run https://t.co/sj5p6oIcCK
Next, Chris Bryant. He vowed not to "belittle" MPs if he succeeds John Bercow. https://t.co/hCvrdaKKXA
An unlikely bid from Sir Edward Leigh, the Tory backbencher, running on a more traditional platform. https://t.co/YlbwpzGkFa
The SNP's Pete Wishart released a manifesto setting out his objectives for the Speakership. He wants to tackle the "cultural misogyny that reverberates out of the very fabric of parliament” https://t.co/UtkYp01re9
We also have a likely bid from Harriet Harman. She told me she would "consider" whether to stand after Bercow stands down. https://t.co/GmzMWg5U3g
The frontrunner, however, is Lindsay Hoyle. He wanted to wait until Bercow stood aside to announce his candidacy.“When the Speaker decides to go, I may well enter that race. But I’ll certainly wait for the starting gun first.” https://t.co/9kqhfulzJh
From the Mirror’s Pippa Crerar
Odds for John Bercow’s replacement as Commons Speaker. pic.twitter.com/fpoOnrdQSJ
From my colleague Patrick WintourFrom my colleague Patrick Wintour
Everyone will have a view on Bercow's personality and neutrality, but this graph shows he made the executive answerable to MPs, often when Ministers refused to be so. By this alone, he revived a moribund parliamentary democracy in the UK. pic.twitter.com/aR8ZaQXAgAEveryone will have a view on Bercow's personality and neutrality, but this graph shows he made the executive answerable to MPs, often when Ministers refused to be so. By this alone, he revived a moribund parliamentary democracy in the UK. pic.twitter.com/aR8ZaQXAgA
The tributes to John Bercow are still coming in. They have included tributes from Dame Cheryl Gillan, who praised Bercow for the support he has given to those who have campaigned on behalf of those with autism, from Angela Eagle, who praised his campaigning on behalf of LGBT issues, and from Peter Bone, the Tory Brexiter, who said that even though he disagreed with some of Bercow’s rulings, he thought Bercow had been an “outstanding” Speaker.The tributes to John Bercow are still coming in. They have included tributes from Dame Cheryl Gillan, who praised Bercow for the support he has given to those who have campaigned on behalf of those with autism, from Angela Eagle, who praised his campaigning on behalf of LGBT issues, and from Peter Bone, the Tory Brexiter, who said that even though he disagreed with some of Bercow’s rulings, he thought Bercow had been an “outstanding” Speaker.
Bercow told Bone it was big of him to say that in the light of their Brexit disagreements.Bercow told Bone it was big of him to say that in the light of their Brexit disagreements.
Here is the full text of John Bercow’s resignation statement.Here is the full text of John Bercow’s resignation statement.
Colleagues, I would like to make a personal statement to the house. At the 2017 election I promised my wife and children that it would be my last. This is a pledge that I intend to keep. If the house votes tonight for an early general election, my tenure as Speaker and MP will end when this parliament ends.Colleagues, I would like to make a personal statement to the house. At the 2017 election I promised my wife and children that it would be my last. This is a pledge that I intend to keep. If the house votes tonight for an early general election, my tenure as Speaker and MP will end when this parliament ends.
If the house does not so vote, I have concluded that the least disruptive and most democratic course of action would be for me stand down at the close of business on Thursday, 31 October. Least disruptive because that date will fall shortly after the votes on the Queen’s speech expected on 21 and 22 October.If the house does not so vote, I have concluded that the least disruptive and most democratic course of action would be for me stand down at the close of business on Thursday, 31 October. Least disruptive because that date will fall shortly after the votes on the Queen’s speech expected on 21 and 22 October.
The week also after that may be quite lively and it would be best to have an experienced figure in the chair for that short period.The week also after that may be quite lively and it would be best to have an experienced figure in the chair for that short period.
Most democratic because it will mean that a ballot is held when all members have some knowledge of the candidates. This is far preferable to a contest at the beginning of a parliament when new MPs will not be similarly informed and may find themselves vulnerable to undue institutional influence.Most democratic because it will mean that a ballot is held when all members have some knowledge of the candidates. This is far preferable to a contest at the beginning of a parliament when new MPs will not be similarly informed and may find themselves vulnerable to undue institutional influence.
We would not want anyone to be whipped senseless, would we? Throughout my time as Speaker I have sought to increase the relative authority of this legislature for which I will make absolutely no apology to anyone, anywhere, at any time.We would not want anyone to be whipped senseless, would we? Throughout my time as Speaker I have sought to increase the relative authority of this legislature for which I will make absolutely no apology to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
To deploy a perhaps dangerous phrase, I have also sought to be the backbencher’s backstop.To deploy a perhaps dangerous phrase, I have also sought to be the backbencher’s backstop.
I could not do so without the support of a small but superb team in Speaker’s House, the wider house staff, my Buckingham constituents, and above all my wife, Sally, and our three children, Oliver, Freddy and Jemima. From the bottom of my heart, I thank them all profusely.I could not do so without the support of a small but superb team in Speaker’s House, the wider house staff, my Buckingham constituents, and above all my wife, Sally, and our three children, Oliver, Freddy and Jemima. From the bottom of my heart, I thank them all profusely.
I could also not have served without the repeated support of this house and its members past and present. This is a wonderful place filled overwhelmingly by people who are motivated by their notion of the national interest by their perception of the public good. And by their duty, not as delegates, but as representatives, to do what they believe is right for our country.I could also not have served without the repeated support of this house and its members past and present. This is a wonderful place filled overwhelmingly by people who are motivated by their notion of the national interest by their perception of the public good. And by their duty, not as delegates, but as representatives, to do what they believe is right for our country.
We degrade this parliament at our peril. I have served as a member of parliament for 22 years, and for the last 10 as Speaker. This has been, let me put it explicitly, the greatest privilege and honour of my professional life for which I will be eternally grateful.We degrade this parliament at our peril. I have served as a member of parliament for 22 years, and for the last 10 as Speaker. This has been, let me put it explicitly, the greatest privilege and honour of my professional life for which I will be eternally grateful.
I wish my successor in the chair the very best fortune in standing up for the rights of honourable and right honourable members individually and for parliament institutionally as the Speaker of the House of Commons.I wish my successor in the chair the very best fortune in standing up for the rights of honourable and right honourable members individually and for parliament institutionally as the Speaker of the House of Commons.
It is important to remember, of course, that only yesterday the Conservatives announced that they were going to field a candidate against John Bercow at the next election, even thought the Speaker is normally given a clear run, because they had concluded that he was biased against them on Brexit. The story is here. It is important to remember, of course, that only yesterday the Conservatives announced that they were going to field a candidate against John Bercow at the next election, even though the Speaker is normally given a clear run, because they had concluded he was biased against them on Brexit. The story is here.
Tories plan to contest John Bercow's seat in breach of conventionTories plan to contest John Bercow's seat in breach of convention
A few minutes ago Michael Gove praised Bercow lavishly. (See 3.51pm.) Maybe he was being sincere if speaking in a personal capacity (Gove is an accomplished parliamentarian debater, and did not seem to mind Bercow giving backbenchers the chance to hold the executive to account), but for a Conservative party and government representative to be praising Bercow a day after launching a plan to unseat him, and on the day the government is closing parliament to stop ministers being held to account, was astonishingly hypocritical.A few minutes ago Michael Gove praised Bercow lavishly. (See 3.51pm.) Maybe he was being sincere if speaking in a personal capacity (Gove is an accomplished parliamentarian debater, and did not seem to mind Bercow giving backbenchers the chance to hold the executive to account), but for a Conservative party and government representative to be praising Bercow a day after launching a plan to unseat him, and on the day the government is closing parliament to stop ministers being held to account, was astonishingly hypocritical.
David Lidington, the former Cabinet Office minister, represents the constituency next door to Bercow’s in Buckinghamshire. He says John Bercow never allowed his duties as Speaker to detract from his need to represent his constituents.
Hilary Benn, the chair of the Commons Brexit committee, whose bill designed to rule out a no-deal Brexit on 31 October was passed as a result of a procedural ruling allowed by Bercow, praises Bercow as a reforming Speaker who has empowered parliament.
Bercow says Gove never complained about urgent questions being granted at short notice, because he was always quick enough and bright enough to respond.
He suggests that praising Gove may not do him credit on the Tory benches.
(Many Tory MPs loath Bercow, and will be glad to see him gone.)
Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, is speaking now. He says for the first time he would like to associate himself with what Jeremy Corbyn said. He says Bercow was a tenacious backbencher, and frontbencher too.
He says he has no wish to prematurely truncate Bercow’ role in the chair.
He says he has always appreciated the way Bercow has tried to ensure the executive has been held to account. He says Bercow has acted in the best tradition of Speakers.
He says Bercow has tried to make the executive answerable to the Commons, just as the house is answerable to the people.
He ends by saying he and Bercow have children at the same school.
Jeremy Corbyn rises on a point of order and uses it to thank John Bercow for his work as Speaker.
He says Bercow has “totally changed the way in which the job has been done”. He has gone out to the country and spoken at schools and factories. He says he will always remember Bercow speaking to students with learning disabilities at an event in Corbyn’s constituency. He says he has made the role of Speaker more powerful.
Corbyn says, as someone who aspires to hold executive office, he approves of a powerful parliament holding the executive to account. He says he has tried to do that himself during his career.
Bercow says he could not have served without the support of the Commons.
He says it is filled with people motivated by their sense of public duty, and with people who see themselves not as delegates but as representatives – there to do what is best for the public.
He says he has been an MP for 22 years, and Speaker for 10 years. It has been the greatest honour of his life, he says.
He wishes his successor all the best in terms of standing up for the rights of MPs individually, and for parliament institutionally.
Bercow has finished. He receives a round of applause, although with most of the clapping coming from the opposition benches.
Bercow says he has always sought to be the champion of backbenchers.
If you like, he has been their backstop, he says.
He thanks House of Commons staff.
And he thanks his wife and his three children. He sounds very emotional at this point.
John Bercow, the Speaker, says he wants to make a personal statement.
At the 2017 election he promised his wife and children that it would be his last, he says.
He says if the Commons votes for an early general election, his tenure as Speaker and as an MP will end when this parliament ends.
He says, if MPs do not vote for an election, he has concluded the least disruptiveoption will be to stand down at close of play on Thursday 31 October.
He says the votes on the Queen’s speech will come at the start of that week. He says it would make sense to have an experienced Speaker in the chair for those votes.
And he says this would be the most democratic option because it would allow the new Speaker to be elected by MPs who know the candidates.
From the Evening Standard’s Joe Murphy
Speaker’s wife Sally is in the Gallery. Major announcement about to take place?
Tory MPs are falling like skittles at the moment. Another, Mark Prisk, has announced that he is standing down at the next election.
Prisk, 57, a former minister, voted remain in 2016 and voted with the government in the divisions on Theresa May’s Brexit deal. In his letter announcing his decision he says it is not a reaction to Brexit. But he also deprecates “the rise of narrow ideology over pragmatic, common sense”, and so it is not hard to guess what he thinks of what Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are doing to the Conservative party.
Today I have announced that I will not be standing at the next general election. Read my full statement here pic.twitter.com/OgTkw7XLlj