Etonian Brexiteer versus firebrand ex-priest in battle to be Mr Speaker
TORY Brexit cheerleader Jacob Rees-Mogg is ready to take on Labour pro-EU MP Chris Bryant in a battle to succeed John Bercow as Commons Speaker.
Allies of ‘Vote Leave’ supporter Rees-Mogg have persuaded him to run for the post, claiming they are determined to stop the Speaker’s chair being taken over by a prominent ‘Remain’ supporter.
The prospect of a spectacular Rees-Mogg versus Bryant contest emerged ahead of Mr Bercow’s expected retirement as Speaker next year.
The pair are two of the most colourful personalities in Westminster – and poles apart on everything from gay rights to their starkly differing wardrobes.
Arch-traditionalist, Rightwing, Old Etonian, multimillionaire, City tycoon Mr Rees-Mogg, 47, and aristocratic wife Helena de Chair are expecting their sixth child. He wears a double-breasted suit, opposed gay marriage, is a global warming sceptic and devout Catholic who called for ‘happy clappy guitars’ to be banned in church.
Trendy, Left-wing, Welsh- born, ex-Anglican priest Mr Bryant, 55, prefers pink and orange silk ties, says too many showbusiness stars went to private schools, claimed Tory housing cuts were ‘social cleansing’ the poor, supports moves to combat climate change and urged Mr Bercow to celebrate ‘kiss a ginger day’.
The former Europe Minister’s partner is businessman Jared Cranney.
Mr Bercow, who became Speaker in 2009, is expected to quit his £151,000-a-year job by 2018 at the latest. Mr Rees-Mogg made clear yesterday he would not make a final decision on standing for Speaker until Mr Bercow announced he was going. But he said: ‘It is very flattering that some friends have suggested that I could be Speaker. It is one of this country’s great constitutional roles.’ Tory MP Richard Benyon said: ‘Jacob has an encyclopaedic knowledge of procedure and he would be steeped in all the traditions of the place.’ Another MP backing Mr Rees-Mogg said: ‘Jacob would be a brilliant Speaker. ‘He has only been an MP for six years but is respected on all sides of the House. ‘His won- derful wry sense of humour would be a huge asset in defusing arguments in debates.
‘And when Brexit is going to dominate Parliament for years, it make sense to have a Speaker in tune with the mood of the nation and not MPs, many of whom are still determined to sabotage it.
‘For all his posh vowels, Jacob is a true man of the people.’
Asked if he wished to become Speaker, Mr Bryant declined to comment. But supporters of Mr Bryant, seen as an ally of Mr Bercow, insisted he would be a much better choice than Mr Rees-Mogg.
‘To argue we need a Brexit Speaker because of the referendum is barmy,’ said one.
‘The whole purpose of the Speaker is to stand up for MPs, not the Government. The case for a Speaker who is not a Brexit propagandist is overwhelming.
‘Chris is a modern parliamentarian and a modern man. He has been an MP for 15 years and makes Rees-Mogg look like a novice.’
A spokeswoman for the Speaker declined to comment.