John Bercow

John Bercow
Ernests Dinka - Saeima · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	John Bercow
Caption	Bercow in 2019
Office	Speaker of the House of Commons
Term start	22 June 2009
Term end	4 November 2019
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Primeminister	Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson
Predecessor	Michael Martin
Successor	Lindsay Hoyle
Office1	Member of Parliament, for Buckingham
Term start1	1 May 1997
Term end1	4 November 2019
Predecessor1	George Walden
Successor1	Greg Smith
Party	Conservative (1997–2009), Speaker (2009–2019), Labour (2021–present)
Spouse	Sally Illman 2002
Alma mater	University of Essex

John Bercow served as the Speaker of the House of Commons from 2009 to 2019, a tenure marked by significant procedural rulings during the tumultuous Brexit debates. First elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Buckingham in 1997, his evolution from a right-wing partisan to a fiercely independent presiding officer defined his political legacy. After leaving the House of Commons, he joined the Labour Party and has been active in broadcasting, academia, and international advocacy.

Early life and education

Born on 19 January 1963 in Edgware, Middlesex, he was the son of a London taxi driver. He attended Finchley Manorhill School before winning a place at the University of Essex, where he studied government and was influenced by the political philosophy of Enoch Powell. His early political engagement included serving as president of the University of Essex Students' Union and chairing the Federation of Conservative Students, where he developed a reputation as a staunch Thatcherite.

Political career before Speaker

Elected to Parliament in the 1997 general election, he quickly became a prominent figure on the Conservative right. He served as a shadow minister under leaders William Hague and Michael Howard, with portfolios including Treasury and Home Office affairs. However, his views began to moderate, leading to tensions with the party leadership, particularly over issues like same-sex marriage and the Human Rights Act. By the mid-2000s, he was seen as a maverick, often rebelling against the Cameron leadership.

Tenure as Speaker of the House of Commons

Elected as Speaker in 2009 following the resignation of Michael Martin, he immediately initiated reforms to modernise the role and make the Commons more accessible. His tenure was dominated by the protracted Brexit process, during which he made several historic rulings to assert parliamentary sovereignty. Most notably, he allowed backbench motions that enabled the House to seize control of the parliamentary agenda, a decision that frustrated the government of Theresa May and later Boris Johnson. His distinctive cry of "Order!" and forceful management of debates became iconic, though his style attracted criticism for perceived bias.

Political views and controversies

Originally a hardline Conservative, his political outlook shifted considerably, moving towards a more socially liberal and interventionist stance. This evolution, combined with his rulings during the Brexit debates, led to accusations from Conservative MPs and sections of the press, such as the Daily Mail, of favouring the Remain cause. He faced allegations of bullying from former parliamentary staff, which were investigated by the Independent Expert Panel; he consistently denied the claims. His outspoken criticism of figures like Donald Trump and Boris Johnson further cemented his status as a controversial and polarising figure.

Post-Speaker career and activities

Upon stepping down as Speaker and leaving the House of Commons in 2019, he was elevated to the House of Lords as a crossbench peer, though he later took the Labour whip in 2021. He has pursued a career as a broadcaster, appearing on programmes like Good Morning Britain, and serves as a visiting professor at the University of York. Internationally, he has advised on parliamentary procedure and been a vocal advocate for human rights, criticising regimes in China and Myanmar. He published a memoir, *Unspeakable*, in 2020.

Personal life

He married Sally Illman, a former Labour councillor and media personality, in 2002 at the One Marylebone venue; their relationship has often been in the public eye. The couple have three children and reside in London. An avid follower of cricket, he is a lifelong supporter of Arsenal Football Club and has participated in charity matches at Lord's Cricket Ground. His interests include classical music and political biography.

Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:Speakers of the House of Commons (United Kingdom) Category:Alumni of the University of Essex Category:Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies Category:Labour Party (UK) peers Category:Members of the House of Lords