John Bercow looks to keep job as bid to sack him grinds to a halt
PLANS to unseat Speaker John Bercow have stalled after the Commons Leader confirmed that no parliamentary time has been allocated to debate his future in the job.
John Bercow looks set to keep his job as a bid to sack him grinds to a halt
Tory former minister James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) tabled a motion of no confidence in the Speaker after Mr Bercow told the Commons that President Donald Trump should not address MPs and peers in Westminster Hall during his forthcoming state visit.
Mr Bercow said he “strongly opposed” Mr Trump speaking in the Commons and insisted being invited to address Parliament was “not an automatic right”.
SNP shadow Commons leader Pete Wishart, speaking during the business statement, urged ministers to disregard the “pathetic motion”, which only attracted five signatures.
He said: “Will the Leader of the House assure us today that the Government has no intention of debating early day motion (EDM) 943 in Government time.
Mr Bercow told the Commons that President Trump should not address MPs and peers in Westminster Hall
Mr Bercow insisted being invited to address Parliament was 'not an automatic right'
“Now you will know, Mr Speaker, this is this pathetic motion in the name of the honourable member for Rochford and Southend East that invites us to express no confidence in you, Mr Speaker.
“That EDM has secured a paltry five signatures. Will the Leader of the House now confirm that this is the end of this sorry business?”
Responding, Commons Leader David Lidington said: “He will notice that I have not announced any plans to debate early day motion 943.”