John Bercow's open letter "to put the record straight" (From Bucks Free Press)

John Bercow's open letter "to put the record straight"

4:00pm Friday 12th March 2010 in News

Dear Buckingham constituent, As MP for Buckingham and Speaker, I believe that I best serve my constituents and the House of Commons by getting on with my job. It is your right to decide if you wish me to continue to represent you after the general election.

However, there are those newly arrived in the constituency who seek to exploit any confusion about my dual role. They claim that my election as Speaker means that the constituency is effectively un-represented and that electors in Buckingham will be denied their constitutional right to vote when the general election is called.

I wish to put the record straight.

I remain just as active a constituency MP for Buckingham as I have always been over the last 13 years I have had the privilege of representing you.

Although I no longer participate in Commons debates, as Speaker I am able to represent constituency issues and individual cases direct to Government Ministers. Being Speaker means that I get more, not less, access to those whose decisions affect the daily lives of my constituents.

Convention means that at the general election, the main political parties will not stand against me as the Speaker seeking re-election. This is a long-standing convention due to the non-party political position of the Speaker. It is not a new situation or something I decided.

Of course, I recognise that this is new to the constituency of Buckingham. I greatly appreciate the continued support of my constituents. The best way I can repay that support is to continue to work tirelessly on your behalf.

Minor parties and other individuals have said that they will be standing at the general election. They have every right to do so. Local voters can make their choice about who is best placed to serve them both locally and at Westminster.

Each of the three main political parties supports my re-election campaign and each has been kind enough publicly to recognise my record as a hard-working and effective local MP.

David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party, has urged all Conservative voters, as well as voters of other parties and of none, to vote for me.

As a Conservative MP I supported my then party in more than 9 out of 10 votes in the House of Commons. When I believed that my party was wrong, I exercised my judgement to take an independent view.

Now as Speaker, I seek to restore trust in Parliament, to allow MPs properly to hold the Government of the day to account and to work to reform the way Westminster works.

I accept that sadly some now see politics as a bit of a lark – perhaps politicians have only themselves to blame for this. Some no doubt see the election in Buckingham as a chance for a bit more fun. Putting out misleading leaflets is certainly one approach to electioneering. Downing a swift pint in each of the constituency’s pubs as a substitute for local knowledge is another.

I believe my record of visiting every school in the constituency and championing our educational provision is of more relevance to local people. I am also proud of standing up for individual constituents, local post offices, protecting village identity and supporting local shops, businesses and pubs.

Buckingham deserves better than being treated as a glorified pub crawl or media event. I will continue to take your concerns seriously and to work on your behalf as Buckingham’s MP and Parliament’s Speaker.

If you would like to contact me about any issue or concern please write to me at House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA or call me on 0207 219 6346.

Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP Published & Promoted by Gordon Bell on behalf of John Bercow, both of the Firs, High Street, Whitchurch, Bucks HP22 4JU