The Speaker must remain unequivocally impartial

ONLY Speaker John Bercow knows why he ignored official advice and overturned centuries of precedent to change arbitrarily the rules of Parliament with no consultation or warning in a move that aided those who wish to stop Brexit from happening.

But we do know that he has spoken in favour of Remain and there is a bumper sticker on his wife’s car supporting the Remain cause. All this gives a strong impression that Bercow has abandoned the tradition of impartiality in his role and is an active part of the ongoing establishment plot to overturn the referendum. Whatever his motives, Bercow’s actions were a shameful abuse of power and he is not fit to hold the great office of Speaker.

It may seem a small matter but in Parliamentary procedure a word can be very important and this was the case with the use of the word “forthwith”.

Until yesterday that meant a motion was unamendable. But Bercow tore up that understanding and allowed an amendment that takes us a step closer to having a second referendum.

This is not the first time the Speaker has appeared to abuse his powers in a move that aids the Remain cause.

Previously, he forced the Government to publish full legal advice at the behest of Remainers, potentially undermining the protection of legally confidential and security advice.

If the Speaker is no longer impartial, it strikes at the heart of Parliamentary democracy whatever side you are on.

Worse still, if this establishment plot to stop Brexit succeeds then Speaker Bercow and others will have harmed public trust in democracy in this country for a generation.