Politics

Who will be the next House of Commons Speaker after John Bercow stands down?


JOHN Bercow is bidding farewell to his current role as House of Commons Speaker in late October.

But who is to replace him and when will that take place? Here’s what we know.

 Current House of Commons Speaker John Bercow is stepping down on October 31

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Current House of Commons Speaker John Bercow is stepping down on October 31Credit: PA:Press Association

Who will be the next House of Commons Speaker?

There are several prospects for the Speaker position after John Bercow leaves.

There are five potential speakers who are already in the frame for the role at the end of October, let’s take a look who it might be…

Lindsay Hoyle

Sir Lindsay Hoyle is a member of the Labour party.

His current position is Deputy Speaker of the Commons and MP for Chorley in Lancashire, since 1997.

Currently the bookmakers’ slight favourite, he is popular on both sides of the House and wants to position himself as the stable choice in unpredictable times.

Hoyle has never declared his views on Brexit.

The current odds on him being the favourite are at around the 5/6 mark, the bookies give him a 55 per cent chance of becoming the next Speaker.

 Sir Lindsay Hoyle Deputy Speaker of the Commons and MP for Chorley in Lancashire, since 1997

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Sir Lindsay Hoyle Deputy Speaker of the Commons and MP for Chorley in Lancashire, since 1997Credit: Refer to Source – Free

Harriet Harman

Harriet Harman is a member of the Labour party.

Her current position is Labour MP for Camberwell and Peckham, since 1982 – she has been the longest-serving female MP.

She is standing as an avowed reformer who has spent decades trying to make the House of Commons a better place to work.

She is a Champion of the backbenchers and defender of Bercow’s reforms.

Harman is currently the second favourite to win, with 7/4 odds.

 Harriet Harman is Labour MP for Camberwell and Peckham, since 1982

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Harriet Harman is Labour MP for Camberwell and Peckham, since 1982Credit: Rex Features

Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant is a member of the Labour party.

He is currently Chairman of the House Finance Committee.

Bryant, who has been an MP since 2001, has pledged to be a neutral Speaker who would increase the power of MPs.

The odds of him being the next Speaker are 10/1.

 Chris Bryant is currently Chairman of the House Finance Committee

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Chris Bryant is currently Chairman of the House Finance CommitteeCredit: Rex Features

Eleanor Laing

Dame Eleanor Laing is a member of the Conservative party.

Her current position is Conservative MP for Epping Forest, since 1997, and first Deputy Speaker.

Before taking the role in the Speaker’s Office, she spent a dozen years filling various roles on the opposition frontbench.

She is keen to highlight the need for a female Speaker and presenting herself as a change candidate.

The odds of her becoming the next Speaker are 18/1.

 Dame Eleanor Laing is a Conservative MP for Epping Forest, since 1997, and first Deputy Speaker

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Dame Eleanor Laing is a Conservative MP for Epping Forest, since 1997, and first Deputy SpeakerCredit: Getty – Contributor

Edward Leigh

Sir Edward Leigh is a member of the Conservative party.

He is currently the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

He said he would “submerge my personality into the office and be “rigidly impartial.”

Known as an independent MP who opposed the Iraq war, he is a definite outsider.

His odds of winning are 25/1.

 Sir Edward Leigh is the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee

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Sir Edward Leigh is the Chairman of the Public Accounts CommitteeCredit: Getty – Pool

When will Bercow quit?

On September 9, Bercow told the chamber he is stepping down as a Tory MP on October 31 – the promised Brexit deadline.

He is also quitting as Speaker.

Bercow told the chamber: “At the 2017 election I promised my wife and children that it would be my last.

“This is a pledge I intend to keep if the house votes tonight for an early general election my tenure as Speaker and MP will end when this Parliament ends.

“If the house does not so vote I have concluded that the least disruptive and most democratic course of action would be for me to stand down at the close of business on Thursday, October 31.”

 Just a few hours after Bercow steps down on October 31, the election will take place at 2.30pm

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Just a few hours after Bercow steps down on October 31, the election will take place at 2.30pmCredit: HOC/JESSICA TAYLOR

How is the new Speaker appointed?

Just a few hours after Bercow steps down on October 31, the election will take place at 2.30pm.

It starts with speeches from each of the candidates, who draw straws in advance to decide what order they go in.

Every member of the Commons will get a ballot paper with all the candidates’ names on it in alphabetical order.

They will then choose their favourite candidate while in the division lobbies.

It is a secret ballot, how each MP votes will not be revealed like in normal Commons votes.

If any candidate gets over 50 per cent they are automatically elected.

How long has John Bercow been Speaker?

Bercow was elected the 157th Speaker in June 2009 following the resignation of Michael Martin in the wake of the MPs expenses scandal.

He has had no one from the major parties challenge him in his seat since he came into the role.

Bercow is the first Jewish Speaker, and the only one not to wear traditional court robes while presiding over the House.

He has also ditched clerks’ wigs and said MPs do not need to wear a tie, upsetting many traditionalists.

Many Conservatives claimed the Speaker was biased against them and Bercow repeatedly clashed with PM David Cameron.

A Tory plot to oust him days before the 2015 General Election failed and he was re-elected unopposed in the new Parliament.

Bercow was re-elected again in June 2017 after the snap General Election.

House of Commons speaker John Bercow breaks down as he announces he’s standing down from his role on October 31st or the next general election

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