There is no doubt you have to be thick-skinned to be Speaker of the House Of Commons.
The fact that John Bercow has lasted for more than 10 years in the job is testament to his durability. But the 56-year-old has been tipped over the edge into retirement by the current Government’s proroguing of Parliament and the demands of the job which dictates that, at different times, you’ll be a villain to both sides of the House. Bercow is also quitting as an MP at the end of October when the UK may, or may not, be no longer part of the European Union.
Some say it’s a job that, in the current climate of venomous hostility and uncertainty about the very boundaries of what is and is not democratic or within the law, no sane person would want. But there doesn’t appear to be any shortage of interested parties on both sides of the House.
Traditionally, the politically-neutral job of Speaker has alternated between the two major parties in Parliament. But that convention was ignored in 2000 and Parliamentary precedent appears to count for little under Boris Johnson. With the Conservatives stagnant due to a lack of majority, however, Labour may be able to apply sufficient pressure to install one of their own.
Labour stalwarts favourites to succeed Bercow
No surprise, then, that Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Harriet Harman head the betting to be Bercow’s replacement.
SIR LINDSAY HOYLE is one of John Bercow’s deputies and has been MP for Chorley for more than 20 years. The experience of sitting in the Speaker’s chair has to be an advantage ahead of the secret ballot which will decide Bercow’s successor, that’s if Parliament is allowed to reconvene under the current Prime Minister! A champion of women’s rights and a friend to those who want social media companies to accept more responsibility for their output, the 62-year-old is a best Evens with Paddy Power for promotion.
HARRIET HARMAN is another Labour MP with plenty of supporters in the House Of Commons. More moderate than those on the front bench of her party, she’s held almost every position possible in a shadow government and also served in Tony Blair’s Cabinet. An MP for 37 years, few have the same level of political knowledge. She’s been keeping well clear of the Brexit chaos so would bring a fresh approach to the role untainted by associations. Harman is a general 11/4 and the most likely challenger to Lindsay Hoyle.
Conservatives are likely to put forward the name of DAME ELEANOR LAING (14/1 with Betfred), the other current deputy speaker behind John Brecow. But she was tainted in the MP’s expenses scandal in 2008 and is unlikely to gain support from both sides of the House. CHRIS BRYANT (16/1 with Ladbrokes) has also expressed an interest. He’s a comparative youngster compared to most other leading candidates but who better to calm aggression and cool tempers than a former vicar? Tory SIR CHARLES ASHLEY RUPERT WALKER, keen Brexiteer and chairman of the influential 1922 Committee, is one of the other names in the frame and is also a best 16/1.
Odds to be Next Speaker of the House Of Commons
Sir Lindsay Hoyle Evens
Harriet Harman 11/4
Dame Eleanor Laing 14/1
Chris Bryant and Sir Charles Walker 16/1
Frank Field 25/1
Owen Paterson and Michael Fabricant 33/1
Peter Bottomley 40/1
Jacob Rees-Mogg, Hilary Benn and Angela Eagle 50/1
Kaye Hoey 100/1
(Odds correct at 2.00pm September 10)
