Labour leader tells Bercow, “This Parliament… this democracy has been stronger for you being the Speaker” – and comments on Speaker’s ‘incomparable’ timing
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has paid fulsome tribute to John Bercow, after the Commons Speaker announced his plan to step down on 31 October.
Corbyn praised Bercow’s contribution to the UK’s Parliament and democracy, in particular his integrity in allowing MPs to hold the government to account. The Opposition leader also praised Bercow’s timing as ‘incomparable, [it] will be recorded in the history books of parliamentary democracy’:
Bercow’s successor will be chosen from among MPs. No candidates have yet declared their intention to seek the role. Though still an MP, Speakers do not vote except where a casting vote is required and by tradition, other parties do not stand in parliamentary elections against a Speaker, although this tradition has not always been followed.
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