Re: British Politics
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2019 3:22 am
UFGN wrote:It's hardly new nor especially notable that people on one side of a debate question a decision of the Speaker
For the benefit of our non British members, the Speaker is an MP but resigns from his Party after being elected. Bercow is originally a Tory
This particular Speaker has faced constant criticism from Tories, which is ultimately because he doesn't favour the Tories
It seems bias is expected and demanded when it suits, and perceived bias is raged against by exactly the same people if it's not in their favour
I'm not a fan of Bercow, but you simply can't question his knowledge of Parliament and procedure
The next Speaker by convention will be from Labour. Bring on Deputy Speaker Hoyle.... I might start watching Parliamentary debates if he gets the top job
Do you accept that he very clearly breached parliamentary procedure in a manner not seen by a Speaker for 148 years? He may indeed have a great working knowledge of Parliament and procedure, so breaking those procedures is all the more peculiar.
Whilst the Speaker may be an MP from any party, once appointed to the role of Speaker his job is to ensure and even hand and a strict adherence to procedures, until today that's something that Bercow (who like you I don't particularly like) has done very well ... that is until today.
You may consider Bercow as "a brave defender of the people's rights" I'm sure many in Remain will do, you may consider him the "devil incarnate" as I'm sure many Leave backers do ... but in the end you can no longer consider him a great defender of Parliament and procedure, he's driven a coach and horses through that position and will, maybe not today but certainly within a few weeks, be unceremoniously kicked out. MP's on all sides won't allow a maverick Speaker to grandstand in parliament, after all that's their job ... lol