Call for Bercow to honour his pledge to quit as Speaker
JOHN Bercow will lack “any credibility or honour” if he doesn’t step down today as House of Commons Speaker, one of his leading critics said last night.
It marks the date Mr Bercow pledged he would not serve beyond when first elected to the chair by fellow MPs on June 22, 2009.
But he has signalled he has no plans to meet that deadline, and his wife has mocked critics by announcing on social media: “I haven’t started packing yet. Sorry to disappoint.”
Mr Bercow has told MPs that none of them objected when he was re-elected to the post after last year’s snap general election.
Conservative MP James Duddridge, one of his fiercest critics, said: “Speaker Bercow will be breaking a manifesto commitment if he does not resign Friday.
“He will lack credibility and any honour.
“He has diminished the role and his authority in ignoring his promise to only serve nine years.
“How can we ever trust Speaker Bercow again?” Tory MP Andrew Bridgen joined the calls, saying: “He promised to serve two terms or a maximum of nine years as Speaker. He should honour his promise and stand down. If he continues, discontent will increase.”
Mr Bercow’s wife, Sally, 48, who lives with him and their three children in his grace and favour apartment in the Palace of Westminster, has been using Twitter to answer the calls to quit.
In one message she said: “On Friday, I look forward to a school visit, lunch with a friend, son’s football tournament and my mum coming to stay. I haven’t started packing yet. Sorry to disappoint.”
It is claimed Remain-voting Mr Bercow, 55, wants to stay on at least until next year to ensure the Government does not have an inexperienced Speaker during Brexit. Potential successors are already campaigning for the prestigious role.
He has been accused of bullying staff but denies the allegations. Sources last night said Mr Bercow had no plans to resign.