John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, has come under fire from all quarters for saying that he voted Remain in the European Union referendum last year. Well so did 17 million others, so what is the problem? He also doesn't believe that a second referendum is a good idea. Well nor do the majority of Members of Parliament. I met Bercow many years ago when he came to Palma to give a speech to the local branch of the Conservatives Abroad. He was a rather formidable MP, and many in the Conservative Party claimed that he could even have been a future leader. Bercow chose a different path and at the same time rather alienated himself from members of his own party. He is now facing calls for his resignation, not just on his Brexit comments but because he claimed that he was opposed to Donald Trump addressing the Commons and the Lords during his state visit.
It must be remembered that David Cameron called for Trump to be barred completely from the United Kingdom. Now, there are some who claim that the Speaker should be completely impartial and not get involved in issues which will be debated and voted on in the House. But surely Bercow has a right to his own opinion? As long as his opinions do not affect his judgement in the House then I can't see any problem. Give Bercow a chance! He was once known as the Rottweiler, but now it appears that his former colleagues want him well and truly muzzled.