Face of Nation : LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn hinted at John Bercow staying as Speaker of the House for another ten years, during Theresa May’s statement in the Commons on Monday.
Jeremy Corbyn congratulated Speaker John Bercow on his “first ten years” in the role. The Labour leader also commended Mr Bercow for taking the position in a “very meaningful way” out to the public. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Corbyn said: “Thank you very much Mr Speaker, I understand it’s ten years since you assumed the Chair of the House this week. Could I just say congratulations on the first ten years.”
But now, amid the continuing Brexit crisis, he has decided he is best placed to stay in his position for the time being.
Mr Bercow maintains his job is to protect and act in the interests of parliament as a whole and not the executive, and has denied all accusations of bias.
There have been reports that Mr Bercow was persuaded to stay by pro-remain MPs including Dominic Grieve and Sir Oliver Letwin, but the claims have been called “complete rubbish” by those concerned.
Mr Bercow has never set an official date for his departure.
Last year, amid criticism of his handling of Parliamentary bullying accusations, friends suggested that he would depart this summer.
A spokesman for the Speaker’s office said: “The Speaker was elected by the House in 2017 for the course of the Parliament.
“In the event he has anything to say on his future plans, he will make an announcement to the House first.”
It is unclear when Mr Bercow could leave, given the UK’s deadline to leave the EU has now been pushed back to October 31, 2019.
