‘Biased’ Bercow is blasted for crossing to Labour
MINISTERS dismissed John Bercow as a “diminished” figure after the former Commons Speaker revealed he has joined Labour.
The former Tory, who denied bullying accusations in Parliament, was accused of signing up in the hope of becoming a peer.
Speakers quit party politics when they take the role and traditionally remain above it once they leave.
But Mr Bercow, who was repeatedly accused of bias in his handling over Brexit legislation, said he wants the Government to be “replaced” and Labour is the “only vehicle that can achieve that objective”. The Government failed to grant the Remainer a peerage and rejected a nomination by Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour for him to be elevated to the upper chamber.
Mr Bercow insisted there has “been no barter, no trade, no deal whatsoever” with Sir Keir Starmer over joining the House of Lords.
He said: “It isn’t in my mind, it’s not part of the game plan, I haven’t discussed it, I’m not waiting for it.”
Justice Secretary Robert
Buckland said Mr Bercow had diminished his influence by coming out in support of Labour.
He said: “His predecessors’ authority was enhanced by their refusal to go back into party politics.
“Him joining a political party has the effect of diminishing the force of his voice in politics.”
Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen accused Mr Bercow, 58, of operating a “cynical” and “cunning” plan to be nominated as a Labour peer as the Government will not be able to block it this time.