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| Bercow proposes deputies election | |
| (11 minutes later) | |
| Commons Speaker John Bercow has said he wants MPs to vote in elections to choose his deputy speakers. | |
| In a statement, he told MPs he wanted two deputy speakers from the government side and one from the opposition side. | |
| He is believed to be concerned that following his own election by secret ballot last month the three deputies should also be elected. | |
| Mr Bercow indicated he had consulted party whips, who normally appoint the deputy speakers, about the plan. | |
| BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti says: | BBC political correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti says: |
| John Bercow became Speaker off the back of the expenses crisis and, having campaigned for the post as a moderniser, he's not being slow to show he means business. The election rather than appointment of the three Deputies may not seem like a great step for democracy. | John Bercow became Speaker off the back of the expenses crisis and, having campaigned for the post as a moderniser, he's not being slow to show he means business. The election rather than appointment of the three Deputies may not seem like a great step for democracy. |
| But if that is what is to happen, it would take away an element of patronage enjoyed for centuries by the party whips, who have traditionally decided between them names broadly acceptable across the House. | But if that is what is to happen, it would take away an element of patronage enjoyed for centuries by the party whips, who have traditionally decided between them names broadly acceptable across the House. |
| There will be obstacles. The whips are unlikely to view this with much enthusiasm. And the question arises of how you maintain political balance if all four - Speaker and three deputies - are elected. | There will be obstacles. The whips are unlikely to view this with much enthusiasm. And the question arises of how you maintain political balance if all four - Speaker and three deputies - are elected. |
| Traditionally they've been drawn in equal proportion from the government and Opposition, although at the moment the tally is three Tory, one Labour. Such will be the issues raised - but Speaker Bercow is clearly determined to make his mark early on. | Traditionally they've been drawn in equal proportion from the government and Opposition, although at the moment the tally is three Tory, one Labour. Such will be the issues raised - but Speaker Bercow is clearly determined to make his mark early on. |
| It is thought that Mr Bercow is looking to implement the changes - or to start the process of change - after the summer recess. | It is thought that Mr Bercow is looking to implement the changes - or to start the process of change - after the summer recess. |
| Electing the deputy speakers could raise a question of political balance - traditionally the Speaker and his three deputies have been chosen to reflect the strength of the various parties in the Commons. | Electing the deputy speakers could raise a question of political balance - traditionally the Speaker and his three deputies have been chosen to reflect the strength of the various parties in the Commons. |
| The three current deputy speakers are Conservative MPs Sir Alan Haselhurst and Sir Michael Lord, who were both among the MPs defeated by Mr Bercow in the contest to be Speaker, and Labour's Sylvia Heal, who did not stand. | The three current deputy speakers are Conservative MPs Sir Alan Haselhurst and Sir Michael Lord, who were both among the MPs defeated by Mr Bercow in the contest to be Speaker, and Labour's Sylvia Heal, who did not stand. |
| Mr Bercow, who got 322 votes to fellow Tory MP Sir George Young's 271, was the first Commons Speaker to be elected by a secret ballot of MPs. | Mr Bercow, who got 322 votes to fellow Tory MP Sir George Young's 271, was the first Commons Speaker to be elected by a secret ballot of MPs. |
| He was elected on a reforming platform after his predecessor Michael Martin became the first Speaker to be forced to quit in 300 years, over his handling of the expenses scandal. | He was elected on a reforming platform after his predecessor Michael Martin became the first Speaker to be forced to quit in 300 years, over his handling of the expenses scandal. |
| The Speaker of the House of Commons chairs debates in the Commons chamber. As well as keeping order, he chooses which MPs to call to speak, has a say over whether or not a government minister has to make a statement about an issue and decides whether or not particular amendments are to be debated. | The Speaker of the House of Commons chairs debates in the Commons chamber. As well as keeping order, he chooses which MPs to call to speak, has a say over whether or not a government minister has to make a statement about an issue and decides whether or not particular amendments are to be debated. |
| Deputy Speakers share between them the role of chairing debates when the Speaker is not in the chair. | Deputy Speakers share between them the role of chairing debates when the Speaker is not in the chair. |
| The Speaker role can be traced back to Sir Thomas Hungerford's appointment in 1377 and has the constitutionally important role of representing the Commons to the monarchy, Lords and others. | The Speaker role can be traced back to Sir Thomas Hungerford's appointment in 1377 and has the constitutionally important role of representing the Commons to the monarchy, Lords and others. |