It's Bercow.

Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 2902

Once Her Majesty gives her approbation John Bercow will be the new Speaker.

Looks like the Labour whipping back-fired on them...

The interesting point here is that I gather Mr. Bercow is not the favoured candidate of most Conservatives, and there have been rumours that the election of the speaker by the new House of Commons will not be the usual pro-forma affair.

Personally that is precisely why I wanted Miss Widdecombe to get it, a new Speaker until we get a new Parliament.

Posted: Mon 22 Jun 2009 10 23 pm

You were right to want Miss Widdecombe. She would have been magnificent, and expected to do the job only until the next election.

We shall have to see how well Bercow performs. I think he lacks the presence the job needs.

Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 2977 Location: North of Watford

A big favourite with the Blairites, I hear.

Spartacus

Posted: Tue 23 Jun 2009 6 32 am

tjwmason wrote:

Once Her Majesty gives her approbation John Bercow will be the new Speaker.

Looks like the Labour whipping back-fired on them...

The interesting point here is that I gather Mr. Bercow is not the favoured candidate of most Conservatives, and there have been rumours that the election of the speaker by the new House of Commons will not be the usual pro-forma affair.

Personally that is precisely why I wanted Miss Widdecombe to get it, a new Speaker until we get a new Parliament.

But the big question of course TJ is ,

Will he wear the wig?

Posted: Tue 23 Jun 2009 6 37 am

I expect he will do away with a lot of the remaining tradition.
Evil or Very Mad

I would not be sorry to see the back of the present Sergeant, though.

Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 809

I know nothing about this guy, but apparently only 3 conservatives voted for him.

I hope he doesn't change things too much. Traditions such as wigs and formalities help maintain a sense of identity and order. Procedures are often in place for a reason. Reformers rarely look at the bigger picture.

Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 2902

Bulldog wrote:

But the big question of course TJ is ,

Will he wear the wig?

The rumours I heard a while ago suggested he would have been more than happy with wig, lace, and stockings - but that was long before he married and turned into a lefty.

I doubt that he will.

Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 2902

Highlander wrote:

I hope he doesn't change things too much. Traditions such as wigs and formalities help maintain a sense of identity and order.

Also they emphasise that the importance is not with Mr. John Bercow but with the Speaker of the House of Commons and his position as the embodiment of the House...such a diminution of the person in favour of the office is definitely out of fashion these days, doesn't fit too well with our rampant egotism.

Highlander wrote:

Reformers rarely look at the bigger picture.

Absolutely, and they forget that the most constant law of change is the law of unintended consequences.

Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 593

Surely, not wearing the wig is like turning up on parade without your uniform. He'd be improperly dressed. In the military we do not salute the man, rather we salute the rank as displayed by the uniform. Without the wig and gown, the guy in the seat will just be a guy in the seat, not The Speaker. It's about respect for the office.

Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 2977 Location: North of Watford

tjwmason wrote:

The rumours I heard a while ago suggested he would have been more than happy with wig, lace, and stockings .

Not the first Tory MP with such tastes, I'm told ... Wink

Spartacus

Joined: 13 Aug 2005 Posts: 2902

Spartacus wrote:

tjwmason wrote:

The rumours I heard a while ago suggested he would have been more than happy with wig, lace, and stockings .

Not the first Tory MP with such tastes, I'm told ... Wink

Spartacus

Indeed not, to think I was such a naÃ¯f before I joined the Conservative Party.