By Gabriel Princewill-
John Bercow, the former Tory MP and Speaker of the House of Commons delivered a disturbing blistering attack against Boris Johnson and the Conservative party when he announced last weekend that he has switched his political allegiance to Labour.
Bercow described today’s Conservative party as “reactionary, populist, nationalistic and sometimes even xenophobic”. The outspoken politician also criticized the current government treatment of parliament, suggesting that he believes it consistently hides the truth from MPs.
The attack is not a brilliant reflection on the tory party, not that Bercow himself has always conducted himself admirably, for a man in the highly exalted office he has occupied.
His charge against the conservative party as ‘populist’ was a little odd, given the wider positive connotation of the word which indicates consideration for groups of people who feel alienated or marginalized by an elite group of people in power. A populist person or politician strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. Essentially a positive quality, Bercow’s critical attribution of populism to the conservative party can only be rationalized from the perspective of an accusation that the party is disingenuous in its populist conduct.
The other two criticisms the former speaker of the house levied against the party for being reactionary and xenophobic are both negative; the former relating to an opposition of social reform or progress, ánd the latter describing a hatred for people from other countries. The accusations are very unflattering, furthering a challenging week for the conservative party.
Downing Street did not respond to questions from The Eye Of Media.Com, asking for a reaction to Bercow’s damning aspersions about the party.
Bercow, who stepped down as Speaker in 2019 after 10 years, said he joined the Labour party a few weeks ago because he now shares its values and sees it as the only means to removing the current Tory government from office.
“I am motivated by support for equality, social justice and internationalism. That is the Labour brand,” he said. “The conclusion I have reached is that this government needs to be replaced. The reality is that the Labour party is the only vehicle that can achieve that objective. There is no other credible option,” he said.
Categorically dismissing the prime minister’s purported commitment to “levelling up”, Bercow insisted the prime minister has no interest in those less privileged than himself. He also described as “utterly shameful” ,the government’s decision to cut international aid.
Campaigner
In a scathing attack at Boris Johnson, Bercow said: ‘‘He is a successful campaigner but a lousy governor,” he said. “I don’t think he has any vision of a more equitable society, any thirst for social mobility or any passion to better the lot of people less fortunate than he is. I think increasingly people are sick of lies, sick of empty slogans, sick of a failure to deliver.’’
The British politician was Speaker of the House of Commons for 10 years from 2009 to 2019, and Member of Parliament (MP) for Buckingham between 1997 and 2019. A member of the Conservative Party prior to becoming Speaker, he was the first MP since Selwyn Lloyd in 1971 to be elected Speaker without having been a Deputy Speaker
Bercow has a number of accolades to his name, but has also been the subject of controversies. Some of them have been a detraction from any substance he may have. or claim to have.
A very bright student, Bercow graduated with a first class at the University Of Essex in 1985, and was described by his professor, Anthony King, as an outstanding student, who was right wing and pretty stroppy. As a young activist, Bercow was a member of the right-wing Conservative Monday Club- a far cry from his present call for equality of treatment.
In 2005, Bercow won the Channel Four/Hansard Society Political Award for ‘Opposition MP of the Year’. A staunch remainer, Bercow was opposed to Brexit during the 2016 referendum.
Building on his attack against Boris Johnson as he made reference to the byelection shock, Bercow said he believed many traditional Tories were dismayed by the Johnson government’s failure to match actions with words. He cited recent decisions to limit education catchup funding and to cut the international aid budget as examples of where its real priorities lay.
“I think what it [the byelection result] tells us is that there is very considerable distrust on the part of voters in the south of England of this government. I don’t accept the thesis that this was just an anti-HS2 vote. I think that is very convenient for the government, but it suffers from the disadvantage of being wrong. I think people in very large numbers are disappointed, in some cases disgusted, by what this government has done.”
Bercow, whose later period as Speaker was overshadowed by claims of bullying of staff, said he would not comment on “confidential” issues.
Controversies
Bercow’s political career has not been without controversies. He faced calls to quit as speaker in 2020, following an independent probe into claims of a bullying culture in the Commons.
Bercow was also accused of bullying officials , in particular, shouting and swearing at staff- a negative reflection on his personal character that doesn’t bode well for his image.
In another well documented incidence, Bercow called the leader of the House of Commons Ms Leadsom “f****** useless” and a “stupid woman” in the chamber.
He muttered the foul-mouthed attack in May last year after condemning Ms Leadsom for the way ministers were conducting business. He was never reprimanded.
While Bercow’s move from Conservative to Labour will only bolster the morale of Labour leader, Keir Starmer at the expense of Boris Johnson’s own morale, there is clearly a lot of work to be done on Bercow’s character himself.
His attitude and conduct needs to change, but his public attack of the government as lying to parliament is worrying.
Asked if he believed Labour could, under Keir Starmer, oust the Tories, Bercow was unsure. “The jury is out. I am, however, hopeful because I observed Keir Starmer at close quarters from the Speaker’s chair. He may not be Bill Clinton or Barack Obama but he is decent, honourable and intelligent and he came into politics as public service. I believe that Keir Starmer is motivated by an earnest and consuming desire to better the lot of the vast majority of the people of this country who do not enjoy the privileges that he does.”
While Bercow’s move from Conservative to Labour will only bolster the morale of Labour leader, Keir Starmer at the expense of Boris Johnson’s own morale, there is clearly a lot of work to be done on Bercow’s character himself.
His attitude and conduct needs to change, but his public attack of the government is worrying. It may warrant closer examination and also introspection from all members of the government,