Election of Speaker

Jim Sheridan Excerpts

Tuesday 18th May 2010 Commons Chamber

[John Bercow (Buckingham) (Ind)]

Thank you, Sir Peter, and welcome to your role as Father of the House. It was a privilege to serve as Speaker for the past 10 months and it would be an honour to serve again in this Parliament. I would discharge my duties impartially, not just between parties, but between individual Members. Above all, I would defend the rights of Back Benchers to hold the Government to account and to champion the causes dear to their hearts. For better or for worse, I have become known for insisting on short questions and short answers. Sometimes a short speech is also appropriate, so I shall leave it there in order to demonstrate that once in a while, at least, I do practise what I preach. Colleagues, thank you.

[Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Sir Peter. May I ask a procedural question? This is an extremely important time for this House and for its democratic future. We are in the process of electing a Speaker without having the opportunity of understanding or hearing what his views are on the long-term future of this House. May I therefore ask what safeguards are in place should the Speaker decide to change the constitution of our country, either to consolidate or indeed to stabilise the Opposition or his position? What are the criteria required to support any such moves, for example, the 55% provision that the Government wish to embrace—it is thereby known as the Mugabe question?

[Sir Peter Tapsell (in the Chair)]

The hon. Gentleman has made his point and I am sure that it will have been heard, but it is not a point of order for me to deal with under the Standing Orders. The House will have other opportunities to debate these matters.