John Bercow GONE? Speaker's ‘OWN Tory colleagues back Labour MP to oust him'
FLAMBOYANT Commons Speaker John Bercow may be about to be forced out of his role as members of his own party would rather replace him with a Labour MP, insiders say.
Mr Bercow, 54, has faced numerous calls for his head to roll during his tenure as Parliament’s mouthpiece, but now it appears a serious challenger has emerged.
Tory MPs are reportedly approaching central office and asking them to go easy on Lindsay Hoyle, Labour MP for Chorley.
Mr Hoyle is popular on both sides of the house, but his majority is only 4,530 and if the Tories attack the seat there are concerns among the anti-Bercow brigade that the Labour man may lose his seat.
Mr Bercow faced strong calls to stand down recently after he made disparaging remarks about newly-elected president Donald Trump.
The Speaker said: “After the imposition of the migrant ban by president Trump, I am even more strongly opposed to an address by president Trump in Westminster Hall.
“So far as the Royal Gallery is concerned, again I operate on advice, I do not perhaps have as strong a say in that matter. It is in a different part of the building, although customarily an invitation to a visiting leader to deliver an address there would be issued in the names of the two speakers.
“I would not wish to issue an invitation to president Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery.
“And I conclude by saying to the honourable gentleman this: We value our relationship with the United States. If a state visit takes place, that is way beyond beyond and above the pay grade of the Speaker.
“However, as far as this place [the Commons] is concerned, I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons.”
He was criticised for speaking out of turn, with former Culture Secretary John Whittingdale saying: "It was a performance, it was John Bercow playing to the gallery and I think it was damaging to the national interest.
“I think it is regrettable that he did it.”
But Mr Bercow has at least one ally remaining - a Yorkshire-based Tory MP is incredulous about the possibility of Tories gifting a Labour MP an easy ride during an election.
The politician said: “They must be soft in the head.
“This is war, and there are casualties. Good men die in wars.”