John Bercow wins support of the public for his attack on Donald Trump
Members of the public appear to have overwhelmingly backed John Bercow's criticism of Donald Trump.
John Bercow faced a mixed reaction from MPs following his interventionNew figures released by the Commons revealed that of the 4000 letters and emails sent to the Speaker in the 10 days following his statement, more than 3200 praised the move.
Mr Bercow has come under fire from many Tory MPs since his dramatic intervention last week.
He said "Before the imposition of the migrant ban I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.
"After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall."
'OVERSTEPPED THE MARK'
Tory MP James Duddridge has tabled a vote of no confidence in a bid to ditch the famously-outspoken Mr Bercow.
He said the latest controversy was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” for a Speaker whom the last Government tried to oust in 2015.
Speaking to Sky News last week, Mr Duddridge said: “He’s overstepped the mark a number of times but this most recent incident, where he used the Speaker’s chair to pronounce his views on an international situation in a quite detailed and lengthy manner, was wholly inappropriate and it means that he can no longer reasonably chair as speaker any debate on those subjects.
“And this has been happening more and more often from this modernising Speaker.
“This is perhaps the straw that has broken the camel’s back. A few years ago people were unhappy with Speaker Bercow; the number is much, much greater [now].”
A vote on Mr Duddridge's motion could take place next week, and government sources have confirmed that ministers will be given a free vote.
Former Cabinet minister John Whittingdale and Lord Lamont were also among the senior Conservative figures to criticise Speaker Bercow for his intervention.
But the responses from the public would appear to suggest there is strong support outside Westminster for his actions.
Responding to Freedom of Information request, the Commons revealed: “3227 of the total number of communications received support Mr Speaker’s position. This figure comprises 281 letters and 2946 e-mails.
“854 of the total number of communications received do not support Mr Speaker’s position. This figure comprises 121 letters and 733 e-mails.”
President Trump will be honoured with a state visit to the UK in the summer.
An online petition, signed by just under two million people and calling for the visit to be scrapped was thrown out by the foreign office, who insisted “the full courtesy of a state visit” would continue as planned.
craigstevens150...
13:49 on 17th February 2017
The will of the people. The will of the people. Ah Whittingdale hows the Russian ladies? Lamont why have you come creeping out from under the stones The people dont want this #socalledpresident and his neoconservative divisive politics in our country. We dont want him holding rallies spreading his Alt-right messages of hate. He should never have been invited on a state visit so soon after the very vicious racialist xenophobic fake campaign to be elected.The British people should have no confidence in the quislings that support Trump and are trying to bring his politics into Britain by denigrating the speaker. The Queen and the country are being prostituted to satisfy a narcissistic deranged child. I voted to remain what will my punishment be thrown in a dungeon ?Waterboarded ? Exiled ? You won you morons Little Britain is leaving the E.U.lock stock and barrel you need to heal the country not divide it further. I voted to remain not because I particularly like the E.U. but the time was wrong our economy is not strong enough there are two many changes in the world. do you not think you self obsessed fools that people have a opinion and after the event they can express it. Or do you want such a fascist state that only people like Murdoch can speak write and decide about our country?