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John Bercow attacks 'cacophany' at prime minister's questions John Bercow attacks 'cacophony' at prime minister's questions
(about 14 hours later)
MPs are put off contributing in the House of Commons by the "histrionics and cacophony of noise" during prime minister's questions, according to John Bercow.MPs are put off contributing in the House of Commons by the "histrionics and cacophony of noise" during prime minister's questions, according to John Bercow.
The Speaker said party leaders had yet to make a specific commitment to improve the situation despite recognising that behaviour must improve to impress the public.The Speaker said party leaders had yet to make a specific commitment to improve the situation despite recognising that behaviour must improve to impress the public.
Bercow said parliament was "spraypainting its own shop window" by appearing to generate higher decibel levels than Deep Purple, once recognised as the loudest band in the world.Bercow said parliament was "spraypainting its own shop window" by appearing to generate higher decibel levels than Deep Purple, once recognised as the loudest band in the world.
He also claimed there are "downmarket parts of the media" which would relish a fight on the floor of the Commons chamber.He also claimed there are "downmarket parts of the media" which would relish a fight on the floor of the Commons chamber.
Radio 4's PM programme said Bercow had told them seasoned parliamentarians boycotted PMQs out of embarrassment while some female MPs did not want to take part. He added: "Not just people standing down, but people with a lot to contribute, reluctant to engage in the chamber because they think that the histrionics and cacophony of noise are so damaging as to cause them to look elsewhere."Radio 4's PM programme said Bercow had told them seasoned parliamentarians boycotted PMQs out of embarrassment while some female MPs did not want to take part. He added: "Not just people standing down, but people with a lot to contribute, reluctant to engage in the chamber because they think that the histrionics and cacophony of noise are so damaging as to cause them to look elsewhere."
"But I'm sorry if some of those people are lost to the chamber because they think: 'I'm not going to take part in that atmosphere.'""But I'm sorry if some of those people are lost to the chamber because they think: 'I'm not going to take part in that atmosphere.'"
Bercow was asked if he had heard back from the party leaders after he sent them a letter about the conduct of MPs in the Commons.Bercow was asked if he had heard back from the party leaders after he sent them a letter about the conduct of MPs in the Commons.
He replied: "I have heard back from the party leaders.He replied: "I have heard back from the party leaders.
"There is a general sense, 'Yes, Mr Speaker, you make a good point and of course we must behave well and try to impress the public and give serious consideration to what people think,' but there's not yet much by way of a specific commitment.""There is a general sense, 'Yes, Mr Speaker, you make a good point and of course we must behave well and try to impress the public and give serious consideration to what people think,' but there's not yet much by way of a specific commitment."
Bercow went on: "I know there are people in the Westminster beltway, including in the press gallery, who think: 'Well, what's the Speaker moaning about? Why is he so neurotic? This is the way people like it.'Bercow went on: "I know there are people in the Westminster beltway, including in the press gallery, who think: 'Well, what's the Speaker moaning about? Why is he so neurotic? This is the way people like it.'
"To which my answer is no, that's the way you like it."To which my answer is no, that's the way you like it.
"There are people in the media, I don't say people necessarily representatives of the PM programme on BBC Radio 4, but there are people in some of the more downmarket parts of the media who would positively relish it if there were a physical fight on the floor of the chamber.""There are people in the media, I don't say people necessarily representatives of the PM programme on BBC Radio 4, but there are people in some of the more downmarket parts of the media who would positively relish it if there were a physical fight on the floor of the chamber."