Updated: MPs back new speaker Bercow (From Bucks Free Press)

Updated: MPs back new speaker Bercow

9:46am Tuesday 23rd June 2009

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CONTROVERSIAL new Commons speaker John Bercow will “surely grasp” the need to be neutral, friend and fellow MP Paul Goodman said today.

Mr Bercow, MP for Buckingham, was mostly backed by Labour but opposed by most Conservatives, despite being a Tory.

He has moved from the right to left wing in recent years – and there is now even talk of him being replaced.

Mr Goodman said: “A prerequisite of being Speaker is that he or she must be fully independent of any political party.

“It's undeniable that John Bercow was elected by a deeply divided Commons, and that most of his support came from only one part of it.

“He'll surely grasp that his first duty is to reassure voters of his political neutrality - without which real Commons reform will be very hard to achieve.”

Aylesbury MP David Lidington said: “I congratulate John on his election and wish him success in the awesome responsibility that he has now taken on.

“He and I share in John Hampden an inspiring predecessor who stood up for the powers of the House of Commons against an over-mighty executive.

"If, today, we are to overcome public disaffection from politics, one of our key tasks is to show people that their vote does matter and that Parliament will be robust in holding Government – of whatever political party – to account for its decisions.

“The Speaker can take a lead in asserting the independence of the Commons from the executive.

"I know that John Bercow is utterly committed to Parliament, and I hope that he will use his new office to help restore to the Commons its role as a formidable champion of the people.”

Other south Buckinghamshire MPs were this morning unavailable for comment.

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