Bercow has tarnished Parliament’s reputation

sir – David Leakey, the former Black Rod (“It would be a scandal for Bercow to get a peerage”, Comment, October 27), was my brigade commander in Germany in the mid-nineties.

He was an officer of great integrity, professionalism and ability. The only time I saw him lose his cool was when he caught some of my soldiers on a new squash court wearing black-soled shoes.

Mr Leakey’s decency is in stark contrast to the behaviour of John Bercow. I know who I believe: the British Army expects the highest standards of its members. Public disdain for politicians, meanwhile, is fuelled in part by MPS’ failure to hold themselves to such standards – not least in the case of the boorish, self-absorbed Speaker. Mark Mortimer

Blandford Forum, Dorset

sir – John Bercow has already reneged on one promise to retire as Speaker.

Bernard Jenkin (Comment, October 23) may believe that Mr Bercow’s tenure will be over in “just a few days”, but nobody should be surprised if he finds yet another excuse to remain. David Miller

Chigwell, Essex

sir – The Speaker’s continued lack of impartiality is an affront to the privileged position that he holds – and, coupled with the bullying claims made against him (investigation of which he has resisted), is further evidence of his total unfitness for it.

I trust that when he stands down at the end of the month he will not be accorded the ennoblement that traditionally follows – after all, he is no respecter of precedent, as he has demonstrated so gleefully in the past. I suspect there are at least 17.4 million other people hoping for this outcome. Peter Higgins

West Wickham, Kent

sir – Is it possible that next weekend could produce a triple joy?

We could leave the EU by default, win the Rugby World Cup – and see the departure of John Bercow. David Ewens

Wedmore, Somerset