John Bercow has joined the Labour Party
Discussion
Guardian claiming an exclusive report that Bercow has defected to Labour, and other new outlets are now also carrying the story.
I'm sure there was a John Bercow appreciation thread in NP&E, but apart from references to the Small Speaker and Never Tired of Punching threads, PH search doesn't seem able to find it - although it was kind enough to show links to eBay offering me great prices should I wish to buy a John Bercow.
eharding said:
PH search doesn't seem able to find it - although it was kind enough to show links to eBay offering me great prices should I wish to buy a John Bercow.
You know, I might like a John Bercow, send me the link. He could stand in my hallway wearing a cheerful sweater, greeting guests and entertaining them briefly with his extensive vocabulary, before taking their coats.
Blackpuddin said:
Somebody fired this one up earlier.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
In TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Seriously?
I did my best to find an existing thread, but FFS.
Bercow was on Sky News this morning.
He claimed that it's nothing to do with getting a peerage. Said that there were no discussions about a peerage potentially being offered, no siree. But of course one cannot predict the future etc.
He claimed that it was about politics not personalities - and then went on to do a character assassination of Boris Johnson.
He also claimed that he joined Labour because of its progressive values and because the priority is to get rid of the Conservatives. What he said made no sense to me. He said that he joined because Labour has centre left values like himself. But was a member of the Conservative party for years (from 29 years ago right up until he became Speaker) and during that time they have never in that period been centre left, by any reasonable definition. Meanwhile Labour have been centre left for most of that time. And yet he chooses to switch only now. Strange.
I didn't like the way he came across TBH. Too full of himself. Seems to believe that his eloquence and superior wit mark him out above others. And I think that he over-estimates the extent to which the country at large care about this.
I would have thought that the Lib Dems would have been a closer political fit if he was looking to move parties.
I think there are two possible stories. The first is that he has agreed a peerage with Labour. The second is that he has his eye on getting a safe seat, then becoming leader. Maybe he sees himself as a future PM, and Labour is the vehicle for doing it.
He claimed that it's nothing to do with getting a peerage. Said that there were no discussions about a peerage potentially being offered, no siree. But of course one cannot predict the future etc.
He claimed that it was about politics not personalities - and then went on to do a character assassination of Boris Johnson.
He also claimed that he joined Labour because of its progressive values and because the priority is to get rid of the Conservatives. What he said made no sense to me. He said that he joined because Labour has centre left values like himself. But was a member of the Conservative party for years (from 29 years ago right up until he became Speaker) and during that time they have never in that period been centre left, by any reasonable definition. Meanwhile Labour have been centre left for most of that time. And yet he chooses to switch only now. Strange.
I didn't like the way he came across TBH. Too full of himself. Seems to believe that his eloquence and superior wit mark him out above others. And I think that he over-estimates the extent to which the country at large care about this.
I would have thought that the Lib Dems would have been a closer political fit if he was looking to move parties.
I think there are two possible stories. The first is that he has agreed a peerage with Labour. The second is that he has his eye on getting a safe seat, then becoming leader. Maybe he sees himself as a future PM, and Labour is the vehicle for doing it.
AmitG said:
Bercow was on Sky News this morning.
He claimed that it's nothing to do with getting a peerage. Said that there were no discussions about a peerage potentially being offered, no siree. But of course one cannot predict the future etc.
He claimed that it was about politics not personalities - and then went on to do a character assassination of Boris Johnson.
He also claimed that he joined Labour because of its progressive values and because the priority is to get rid of the Conservatives. What he said made no sense to me. He said that he joined because Labour has centre left values like himself. But was a member of the Conservative party for years (from 29 years ago right up until he became Speaker) and during that time they have never in that period been centre left, by any reasonable definition. Meanwhile Labour have been centre left for most of that time. And yet he chooses to switch only now. Strange.
I didn't like the way he came across TBH. Too full of himself. Seems to believe that his eloquence and superior wit mark him out above others. And I think that he over-estimates the extent to which the country at large care about this.
I would have thought that the Lib Dems would have been a closer political fit if he was looking to move parties.
I think there are two possible stories. The first is that he has agreed a peerage with Labour. The second is that he has his eye on getting a safe seat, then becoming leader. Maybe he sees himself as a future PM, and Labour is the vehicle for doing it.
I have always thought that getting Blair back to lead Labour again would be the worst thing they could possibly do but I happily accept I was wrong...watching a Labour leadership election between those two would be amazing... He claimed that it's nothing to do with getting a peerage. Said that there were no discussions about a peerage potentially being offered, no siree. But of course one cannot predict the future etc.
He claimed that it was about politics not personalities - and then went on to do a character assassination of Boris Johnson.
He also claimed that he joined Labour because of its progressive values and because the priority is to get rid of the Conservatives. What he said made no sense to me. He said that he joined because Labour has centre left values like himself. But was a member of the Conservative party for years (from 29 years ago right up until he became Speaker) and during that time they have never in that period been centre left, by any reasonable definition. Meanwhile Labour have been centre left for most of that time. And yet he chooses to switch only now. Strange.
I didn't like the way he came across TBH. Too full of himself. Seems to believe that his eloquence and superior wit mark him out above others. And I think that he over-estimates the extent to which the country at large care about this.
I would have thought that the Lib Dems would have been a closer political fit if he was looking to move parties.
I think there are two possible stories. The first is that he has agreed a peerage with Labour. The second is that he has his eye on getting a safe seat, then becoming leader. Maybe he sees himself as a future PM, and Labour is the vehicle for doing it.
His political career and his usefulness are both over. Maybe Labour will get him a peerage for a brief flash of news coverage but where's the benefit to them?
He isn't popular, he isn't useful, I don't know why they'd do anything for him. They all think he's a
and laugh at him but when he was Speaker he had some utility. Those days are gone.
Now all he is is a midget cuckold with a smarmy tone and a big ego and nothing to do with his time.
He isn't popular, he isn't useful, I don't know why they'd do anything for him. They all think he's a
and laugh at him but when he was Speaker he had some utility. Those days are gone.Now all he is is a midget cuckold with a smarmy tone and a big ego and nothing to do with his time.
CoolHands said:
who on earth would vote for that vile man. Labour must be desperate.
There are a number of EU fanatics that still hold a candle for him, after all the same nutters are still bankrolling Steve Bray to the tune of over £21,000 in less than a year on one crowdfunding site alone.... 
eharding said:
Blackpuddin said:
Somebody fired this one up earlier.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
In TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Seriously?
I did my best to find an existing thread, but FFS.
Johnnytheboy said:
I find it slightly distasteful when politicians make abrupt party changes.
It is proof that their desire to be in public office > their political beliefs.
Yep Labour and Tory are fundamentally different. Ideology is polar opposite ( big state v small state). It is proof that their desire to be in public office > their political beliefs.
Interesting to see him say it’s not about personalities but then attack Boris. Interesting he didn’t attack Kier too (captain hindsight)
AmitG said:
He also claimed that he joined Labour because of its progressive values and because the priority is to get rid of the Conservatives. What he said made no sense to me. He said that he joined because Labour has centre left values like himself. But was a member of the Conservative party for years (from 29 years ago right up until he became Speaker) and during that time they have never in that period been centre left, by any reasonable definition. Meanwhile Labour have been centre left for most of that time. And yet he chooses to switch only now. Strange.
There were rumours that he was planning to defect to Labour in 2007. If he had not become Speaker it is possible that he would have been deselected by the local Tory party such was the concern that he could not be trusted.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff