Ultra Posted 22 June 2009 Posted 22 June 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8111887.stm Tory MP John Bercow has won the race to become Speaker of the House of Commons. Mr Bercow, 46, beat rival Sir George Young by 322 votes to 271 in the third and final ballot of members. It's the end of a remarkable journey for the MP for Buckingham, a seat once held by tycoon Robert Maxwell. Bercow, who graduated from Essex University a year after this correspondent (and in the same subject), was chairman of the far-right Federation of Conservative Students at a time when that body was firmly in the grip of the "hang Nelson Mandela" brigade. But his experiences during the last two decades have seen him move much closer to the political centre, and earn the respect of many who would have once considered him their political enemy. After two successive Labour Speakers, the public school mafia must have felt their chance had come to "regain" the House. They launched a desperate dirty-tricks campaign in the press and on various political blogs to try and smear Bercow, who went to a comprehensive school (more than I did.. ) and is of Jewish ancestry. However, their efforts ultimately came to nothing. During his campaign, Bercow spoke openly of the need for radical reform of Parliament, which is not held in particularly high public esteem at present. Many people, from all political persuasions, will wish him well in his quest, which may well take longer than the next Parliament to achieve. The irony is that after the next election, Bercow could well be a bigger thorn in David Cameron's side than either Labour or the LibDems.
Libertine Posted 22 June 2009 Posted 22 June 2009 Rubbish. Won't be a patch on Martin's "O.. Order... Order"
Fosse Boy Posted 22 June 2009 Posted 22 June 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8111887.stm Tory MP John Bercow has won the race to become Speaker of the House of Commons. Mr Bercow, 46, beat rival Sir George Young by 322 votes to 271 in the third and final ballot of members. It's the end of a remarkable journey for the MP for Buckingham, a seat once held by tycoon Robert Maxwell. Bercow, who graduated from Essex University a year after this correspondent (and in the same subject), was chairman of the far-right Federation of Conservative Students at a time when that body was firmly in the grip of the "hang Nelson Mandela" brigade. But his experiences during the last two decades have seen him move much closer to the political centre, and earn the respect of many who would have once considered him their political enemy. After two successive Labour Speakers, the public school mafia must have felt their chance had come to "regain" the House. They launched a desperate dirty-tricks campaign in the press and on various political blogs to try and smear Bercow, who went to a comprehensive school (more than I did.. ) and is of Jewish ancestry. However, their efforts ultimately came to nothing. During his campaign, Bercow spoke openly of the need for radical reform of Parliament, which is not held in particularly high public esteem at present. Many people, from all political persuasions, will wish him well in his quest, which may well take longer than the next Parliament to achieve. The irony is that after the next election, Bercow could well be a bigger thorn in David Cameron's side than either Labour or the LibDems. :w00t: What an esteemed list of alumni we now have... this bloke, Lord Triesman, the first Mexican in space... Awesome.
Ultra Posted 22 June 2009 Author Posted 22 June 2009 ...plus Virginia Bottomley and the President of Costa Rica...
Fosse Boy Posted 22 June 2009 Posted 22 June 2009 ...plus Virginia Bottomley and the President of Costa Rica... Viva Red Essex!
Guest Bilo Posted 22 June 2009 Posted 22 June 2009 Best of luck to him, came out of the expenses row as one the 15 cheapest MPs in the House so can speak with authority on that issue. Very much in the political centre and stands for some honourable causes such as speaking out against the Burmese military junta. Nice to see a comprehensive school educated man in such a lofty position. Let's hope he can repair the shattered trust in politics and politicians.
Ultra Posted 22 June 2009 Author Posted 22 June 2009 The bitchfest is already in full swing. Check out the front page of the Daily Mail as an example. :laugh: And ex-Sun editor Kelvin McKenzie made no attempt to disguise his bitterness on Newsnight when he denounced Bercow as a "tax-dodger" (so nothing at all like Uncle Rupert, eh Kelvin? ). But the most gutted of all are the fcukwits on Order-Order. This bunch make Stormfront and Waccoe look like Arthur Scargill. The scary thing is, though, that they're actually taken seriously by folk in a position to know a lot better.
Daggers Posted 23 June 2009 Posted 23 June 2009 And ex-Sun editor Kelvin McKenzie made no attempt to disguise his bitterness on Newsnight when he denounced Bercow as a "tax-dodger" (so nothing at all like Uncle Rupert, eh Kelvin? ). And the relevance of an ex-employer to this is what exactly? It doesn't detract from the relative truth of the statement. But the most gutted of all are the fcukwits on Order-Order. This bunch make Stormfront and Waccoe look like Arthur Scargill. Firstly, they would 'sound' or 'read' like, not 'look' like. Secondly, likening Waccoe to Stormfront is nothing short of fucking moronic. The scary thing is, though, that they're actually taken seriously by folk in a position to know a lot better. So? It could be taken seriously by anyone in Parliament but it hardly places his position in jeopardy. It's nothing more than a dull irrelevance...aha, I see where you find the importance in it now.
Jon the Hat Posted 23 June 2009 Posted 23 June 2009 But the most gutted of all are the fcukwits on Order-Order. This bunch make Stormfront and Waccoe look like Arthur Scargill. The scary thing is, though, that they're actually taken seriously by folk in a position to know a lot better. That is a bit harsh. Staines has been leading the charge against troughing MP's for several years and broke the smeargate story. Just becuase he has unmoderated comments from numpties doesn't make it a bad site. We will see whether Bercow is an effective speaker, but on a personal note having a speaker who is a thorn in the side of the government sounds good to me. Edit: Mr Bercow did not escape criticism over his expenses. He said he would repay £6,500 in capital gains tax after it was found that he “flipped” his second home designation before selling two properties. He also repaid £1,470 claimed under his office allowance. Times. Great choice Labour.
Jon the Hat Posted 23 June 2009 Posted 23 June 2009 Ah I take it all back. Mr Bercow has generously said he will no longer claim his £20k a year second home allowance now he the speaker. Very kind of him and will no doubt be a challenge for him what with the Luxury flat he gets on the River Thames and the £141k a year salary.
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