Bercow opponent claims Cabinet support
MORE THAN a dozen Cabinet ministers will vote “no confidence” in John Bercow as Commons Speaker, campaigners seeking to oust him believe.
A handful of figures in Theresa May’s Cabinet have already privately expressed support for a backbench motion seeking to remove him, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.
James Duddridge, the Tory MP who proposed the “no confidence” motion, said he expects a majority of the Cabi- net to back the move. It comes after Theresa May freed her ministers to support the motion this weekend in a significant victory for those seeking to remove Mr Bercow.
Mrs May’s spokesman declined to say she had confidence in Mr Bercow yesterday after days of mounting pressure, saying it was a matter for Parliament. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it was up to MPs to “decide whether they feel he is doing a good job or not”.
Mr Bercow is facing a Tory revolt after he publicly criticised Donald Trump for “racism” and “sexism” and refused to invite the US President to address MPs and peers.
The motion was tabled by Mr Duddridge amid anger that Mr Bercow overstepped his authority.
Supporters – especially on the Labour and SNP benches – have dismissed the criticism, saying Mr Bercow was representing the concerns of MPs when he spoke out over Mr Trump.
With Parliament on recess, Mr Bercow’s critics are seeking to build pressure and hope a vote can be held as early as next week. Mr Duddridge said: “A couple of cabinet ministers have already approached me and said they will vote with the motion. They no longer have confidence in Speaker Bercow.
“I would expect the majority if not all of the Cabinet to be supportive. There may be one or two who bottle it to maintain relations with the Speaker. I think history will frown on them for not standing with their principles.”
Mrs May and David Lidington, the Leader of the Commons, are not expected by Mr Bercow’s critics to involve themselves in any vote. Mr Bercow, a Tory MP, has been Commons Speaker – the presiding officer of the Commons, with significant influence over what topics are debated – since 2009. Critics are seeking assurances that he will step down by 2018 rather than remaining in the position until the 2020 general election.
Mr Bercow was in Israel yesterday, becoming the first Commons Speaker to pay an official visit to the country.
A spokesman for Mr Bercow denied his impartiality had been brought into question by video footage of him revealing he voted to stay in the EU. “The Speaker’s impartiality is required on matters of debate before the House, and he has been scrupulous in ensuring that both sides of the argument are always heard,” the spokesman said.
“Furthermore, his comments made clear that he absolutely respected the result of the referendum.”
Douglas Carswell, Ukip’s only MP, accused Mr Bercow on his blog of “an absurd overreach” for trying to stop Mr Trump addressing Parliament, dubbing the intervention “student politics”.