Brexit is biggest mistake since Second World War, says Bercow
JOHN BERCOW described Brexit as “the biggest mistake since the war”, in his first public comments since stepping down as Speaker of the Commons.
In a speech to the Foreign Press Association, he said he respected Boris Johnson, but added: “Brexit doesn’t help us. It’s better to be part of the power bloc.”
He claimed that Brexit “won’t be resolved any time soon”.
Mr Bercow also said he agreed with the decision of the Supreme Court to rule the Prime Minister’s decision to prorogue Parliament as unlawful.
“What matters is the judgment of the Supreme Court. What matters is 11-0. You got it? 11-0. Maybe it’s not clear: eleven-nil,” he said.
The intervention, less than a week after Mr Bercow gave up the speakership after more than 10 years in the post, followed accusations of bias over the issue of Brexit. He defended himself, however, saying: “My job was to stand up for the rights of the House of Commons,” adding that he would not apologise for “championing the rights of Parliament”.
Mr Bercow said he planned to publish a book by the end of March next year, and wished Sir Lindsay Hoyle, his former deputy and his successor as Speaker, “every possible success”.
In the past year, Mr Bercow was accused of ignoring advice from the impartial Commons clerks by selecting motions that effectively robbed the Government of its right to decide the business of the House. His latter years in the chair were also plagued by accusations of bullying of staff members, which he has consistently denied.
Mr Bercow said his only regret was his unsuccessful attempt in 2014 to separate the role of clerk of the House from that of chief executive. “I didn’t build sufficient support for the change – it was a bloody fight,” he said.