‘Speaker is an umpire not a player’ – Bryant
RHONDDA MP Chris Bryant has suggested that he would be inspired by rugby referee Nigel Owens if he becomes Speaker of the House of Commons – letting the action flow with gentle humour and empathy, and without too many interruptions.
The current Speaker John Bercow has announced he will step down from the post he’s held for 10 years on October 31 – the day the UK is currently scheduled to leave the EU.
During the Brexit crisis, Mr Bercow has been one of the most interventionist Speakers in recent decades, attracting praise from Remainers for the way he has safeguarded the interests of Parliament against the Government, and contempt from Leave supporters, who believe he has exceeded his powers and made a mockery of neutrality.
Mr Bryant is one of the favourites to become the new Speaker, a role elected by all MPs in a secret ballot.
Writing on the politics.home website, Mr Bryant stated: “I don’t think it’s the Speaker’s job to be a media celebrity. Less is more should be my motto, because it’s more important than ever at this stage that the next Speaker is an umpire not a player.
“Of course we need someone with enough of a sense of humour to defuse tensions and enough of a sense of occasion to keep good order, but above all they need enough common sense to know when to keep quiet. That means short answers to points of order, few interruptions from the chair and minimal addresses to the gallery.
“Apart from ceremonial occasions when the Speaker speaks for the whole House, I will only speak from the chair when it is strictly necessary.
“Yes, it’s vital that the next Speaker is authoritative in the chair. But I also want to make the Speaker and three deputies work more as a team, not least because there is another aspect to the job outside the chamber, namely the efficient and responsible management of [Westminster] Palace.
“Above all... I want to ensure that everyone who works in and for Parliament is able to do so without fear of bullying, abuse or harassment. The Speaker must take a lead in this, so I guarantee I will never seek to belittle a colleague.
“The Victorians used to say that children should be seen and not heard – and the best rugby referees use gentle humour and empathy to manage and defuse situations and keep the game flowing. That’s the kind of Speaker I want to be.”
Cardiff West Labour MP Kevin Brennan, who is supporting Mr Bryant’s candidacy, said: “Chris has been a backbencher for a long time, and has a great knowledge and understanding of Parliament, having written a two-volume major piece of work about it.
“It’s a good time for a change of tone in the Commons, which has become too ‘barky’ and ‘shouty’.
“While the present Speaker has done a good job in reforming the role, he probably has ended up talking too much. Chris is very popular across the chamber and I think has a good chance of being elected.”
The election of a new Speaker will take place after October 31.
If Mr Bryant is elected to the role, other parties will have to decide whether or not to oppose him at the next general election, likely to be held within months.
Rhondda is a target seat for Plaid Cymru, whose former leader Leanne Wood holds it at the Assembly.