A politics teacher from Buckinghamshire is planning to stand against Buckingham MP John Bercow in the General Election next month as an independent candidate.

Scott Raven, from North Marston, took to Twitter to announce his candidacy against the Speaker, who has to remain politically neutral in Parliament and is not able to vote on matters, except to cast a tie-breaking vote.

On an online crowdfunding page for his campaign, he wrote: “This outdated and burdensome tradition has meant that we have had no say on major political issues, and if Mr Bercow is re-elected, we will not get an input into how our country is shaped as we negotiate to leave the EU.

“This means our farmers, builders, nurses, and small business owners will all be without a voice for the next five years.

“John Bercow has done a brilliant job as Speaker, but now it is crucial we take our influence and our vote back.

It comes after Lib Dem Sarah Lowes stepped down after announcing her candidacy, saying: “After due consideration, I have decided to stand down in accordance with the convention that the main political parties do not oppose the Speaker.”

Mr Raven, 25, who teaches philosophy and ethics, politics, and religious studies at Cedars Upper School, in Bedfordshire, told the Bucks Free Press he wanted the people of the Buckingham constituency, which also includes Princes Risborough, to “get their vote back”.

He said: “As a politics teacher I am fascinated by political processes and democracy.

“We do not really have political parties in Buckingham and I feel under-represented.”

On his website, Mr Raven vows to “do [his] constituents proud” and “give Buckingham a voice” on issues such as housing, healthcare, schooling and economic negotiations.

He also says he will not claim “a single penny of expenses” except for office costs.

Speaking about what this would mean for the constituents, Mr Raven said: “It would mean that we would have a greater voice in Parliament.

“We can have our cake and eat it too, and get our voice back.

“I have nothing against John Bercow, he’s done a fantastic job as a Speaker but in terms of having a vote in Parliament – we don’t really get one.”