Speaker announces intention to step down

John Bercow has announced that he will stand down as Commons speaker at the end of next month unless an election is called beforehand.

In an impassioned speech Mr Bercow, who has held the influential post for just over 10 years, also said he would step down as MP for Buckingham.

The speaker told the Commons he would resign last night in the event MPs voted for an early general election, but said if they did not he would stand aside on October 31.

As his wife Sally looked on from the gallery, Mr Bercow said: “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 to stand down at the close of business on October 31.

“Least disruptive because that date will fall shortly after the votes on the Queen’s Speech expected on October 21 and 22.

“The week or so after that may be quite lively and it would be best to have an experienced figure in the chair.

“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.”

The speaker added that he has “sought to be the backbenchers’ backstop”, and thanked his team in the Speaker’s House.

Deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle confirmed he would stand to replace Mr Bercow.

Veteran Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh also confirmed his intention to stand to replace Mr Bercow, while Labour’s Chris Bryant has previously put his hat in the ring.

Picture: PA.