UK general election: Would you like to see John Bercow, the Speaker, lose his seat?

Question

The Speaker of the House of Commons is its presiding officer and chairman.  When the Speaker is elected, they give up any connection to a party so they can be an impartial chairman.  Because he is impartial, the Speaker is traditionally not opposed at elections so there isn't an election in his or her constituency and they call themselves "The Speaker seeking re-election" instead of standing under a party name.

John Bercow was a Conservative, but his political views have changed radically over the years and he's probably happier with Labour now.  (His wife Sally is standing in a London borough at the local elections on the same day for election as a Labour councillor!)  No wonder he got voted to be Speaker when Michael Martin had to resign over the expenses scandal, and anyway he's been after the job for years.  So he's not very much liked from all sides.

Nigel Farage of the UK Independence Party is breaking tradition by standing against him.  He may well even win as the majority of voters in the Buckingham constituency always vote Conservative and there isn't a Conservative to vote for.

Do you think that should happen to teach the slimy bastard a lesson?

tom · Accepted Answer

I think the whole situation is poor. The speaker, to be impartial, should give up their seat and sit in parliament as a non-MP for a constituency. How is this person going to serve their constituency? How are people going to be able to vote properly if there is no proper election???

This is one of those constitutional reforms the UK seriously needs. It is obvious that politics is going to have to change in the next decade, but who is going to do this? I think a hung parliament, with lib dems as a coalition partner is the only way this might happen. But i think the political elite are fearful of what may happen. 

I am not a fan of Farage, but he is probably doing the right thing to bring about change!!

Anonymous · Answer

The Speaker is always someone who is a moderate and not massively partisan despite being a member of one party or another. So there isn't much different about John Bercow. You couldn't have a partisan speaker otherwise the democratic process would be undermined.

Redmonk · Answer

Yes, Nigel Farage is the most competent politician we have produced in the last 30 years if he doesn't win it will be a crime against humanity.

ATB Red

Edit Tom

Congratulations, for the first time you are talking complete sense.

IVOR · Answer

Yes !! The electors lose their franchise if they are unable to vote in the election because of an outdated
tradition.

? · Answer

yes and l think nigel farage of ukip has a lot to contribute

thecharleslloyd · Answer

No, I think you will need an experienced person in the Job on May 7th.

JOHN Y · Answer

Yes and so would the conservatives

UK general election: Would you like to see John Bercow, the Speaker, lose his seat?

7 Answers