Commons Speaker John Bercow to Stand Down
Speaking
in Parliament, Mr Bercow said his 10-year "tenure" was nearing its
end and it had been the "greatest honour and privilege" to serve.
If
there was no early election, he said 31 October would be the "least
disruptive and most democratic" date.
The
ex-Tory MP succeeded the late Michael Martin as Speaker in 2009.
He
has faced fierce criticism from Brexiteers, who have questioned his
impartiality on the issue of Europe and claim he has facilitated efforts by MPs
opposed to a no-deal exit to take control of Commons business.
He
has also been criticised for not doing more to tackle allegations of bullying
and harassment in the House of Commons.
Mr
Bercow himself has been accused of mistreating several members of his own
staff, which he denies.
In a break from
normal convention, Mr Bercow was facing a challenge from the Conservatives in
his Buckingham constituency at the next election - whenever it is called.
His
wife, Sally, was in the public gallery as he made his announcement - which
comes just hours before Parliament is due to be suspended or prorogued for five
weeks.
Mr
Bercow said he had decided at the time of the 2017 election that this would his
last Parliament as Speaker.
If MPs reject calls
for an early election later on Monday, as seems likely, the Speaker said it was
important an "experienced figure" chaired debates in the final week
of October leading up to the UK's possible exit from the EU.
The
period between 14 October - when the Queen will open the new session of
Parliament and the government announces its new legislative programme - and 31
October is likely to be among the most eventful and unpredictable in living
memory.
Prime
Minister Boris Johnson has said he will not ask for a further Brexit delay and
the UK must leave the EU on Halloween.
But, unless he
negotiates a new deal acceptable to Parliament, he will be legally obliged to
seek a delay under the terms of legislation passed by MPs and which gained
Royal Assent on Monday.
There
has been speculation that, to avoid this, Mr Johnson could resign or force a
vote of confidence which, if he lost, would trigger 14 days of negotiations
over forming a new government.
Mr Bercow warned
that if the appointment of his own successor was left until after the next
election, newly-elected MPs might find themselves being "unduly
influenced" by party whips in their choice of figure.
"It
will mean a ballot is held when all members have some knowledge of the
candidates. This is far preferable to a contest at the start of a Parliament
where new MPs will not be similarly informed," he told the Commons.
"We
would not anyone want anyone to be whipped senseless, would we?"
In
an emotional speech, he said he had been proud to stand up for the interests of
MPs and to act as the "backbenchers' backstop".
"Throughout
my time as Speaker, I have sought to increase the relative authority of this
legislature for which I will make absolutely no apology to anyone, anywhere, at
any time."
Mr Bercow received a
standing ovation from the Labour benches after announcing his imminent
departure, but most Tory MPs stayed in their seats.
Labour
leader Jeremy Corbyn led tributes, saying the Speaker had stood up for and
promoted democracy, adding that the "choice and timing" of his exit
date was "incomparable".
For
the government, Michael Gove said his determination to give MPs increased
opportunities to hold the government to account were "in the best tradition
of Speakers".
When
he was first elected, Mr Bercow said he intended to serve no more than nine
years in the job.
The
Speaker is elected by all MPs in the House by secret ballot.
By
tradition, the role alternates between the two major parties. If this is
maintained, the next Speaker will be a Labour MP.
Potential
successors to Mr Bercow include Commons deputy Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and
Harriet Harman, the former Labour deputy leader and the longest-serving female
MP in the House.
Labour
MP Chris Bryant and Conservative Eleanor Laing, also a deputy speaker, have
announced they will stand as candidates.
FROM .bbc.com/news/uk-politics
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