Freedom of speech

Have you been on holiday, Chewbacca? Haven't noticed you for a while.

Looks like visit will be over parliament summer hols.
August or September

Doesn't HM go to Balmoral in the summer?
Will anybody be here to receive him or will they just leave the back door key to Buck House under the mat?

Theresa May will have to look after him all on her own. I'm sure she won't mind.

Perhaps a visit to the Tower
Or Madam Tussauds to see wax dummy in an orange wig.

One way ticket only of course!

That's because he wants to play golf in Balmoral

Telegraph having another go at Bercow this morning, because he has admitted to voting Remain.
Well we can all assume I think that he voted Tory as well.
Does not mean he is biased in the exercise of his role of Speaker.
Does the Telegraph hate him because he is known to have been less right wing than when he was younger? Or because he is scrupulously even handed when in work?

He has been a very good Speaker for Parliament Jess and he is independent of Government (which may be his problem). This is getting a bit like the Queen never going to the loo which was the state of mind of some at one time. Of course he voted but it hasn't stopped him chairing the Commons independently before we knew how and it doesn't now.

Jess M. As you have raised the topic of Bercow again!

'Well we can all assume I think that he voted Tory as well.
Does not mean he is biased in the exercise of his role of Speaker.'

a) One would 'think' he voted Tory.

b) The whole point of his speech re the 'HYPOTHETICAL' case of Trump speaking in Westminster Hall has showed him to be biased and acting outside the protocol required of the role of Speaker.

He knew his speech would embarrass the government.

He was not taking into consideration ALL MP'S views, as is his duty to do, impartiality.

He was responding to an 'Early Day Motion' and did not have to make a 'statement' of such platitude at that time.

He was totally grandstanding, did not comply with his 'requirement' of 'impartiality'.

He apologised for breaking with the protocol of discussing who is permitted/offered the opportunity to speak by ignoring the other 2 key holders. Of whom only one has commented I believe but he made it quite clear there had been no approach for Donald Trump to speak in Westminster Hall. It was all all HYPOTHETICAL.

I have watched a hell of a lot of coverage from Parliament and I do not find Bercow 'scrupulously even handed when in work'. He does like to look for the cameras and can give some very angry retorts .

A take it you don't like him POGS

GracesgranMK2

"He has been a very good Speaker for Parliament Jess and he is independent of Government (which may be his problem)."

Why a problem? The government would expect him to be Independent of government, he must be seen to be independent of ANY/ALL political parties in Parliament.

Bercow has a duty in accordance with position of Speaker.

'The Speaker is the chief officer and highest authority of the House of Commons and must remain politically impartial at all times.'

"Speakers must be politically impartial. Therefore, on election the new Speaker must resign from their political party and remain separate from political issues even in retirement. However, the Speaker will deal with their constituents' problems like a normal MP."

I'm not quite clear why this is still being discussed really as the Commons has accepted that trumpty dumpy won't speak. I'm glad.

Is speaking out against a racist , self confessed sex sbuser being political ? I think not

I'm glad too.

But of pearl clutching going on POGs . It'll be all right, honestly.

Damn it but = bit - why don't I preview?

Rigby

I always think those who try to patronise other posters because the disagree with them have very little to say of any worth on the subject being discussed.

Come on POGS you were being a bit pompous.

Anya

I rest my case!

He is to remain separate from political issues even in retirement.

Yeah right! He'll manage that all right!

Yet speakers go on to the Lords , even though they sit on the cross benches they must get involved with Politics

POGS so prickliness now added to pearl clutching. <sighs>

What will be Will be, the Speaker will go to the Lord's, a new Speaker elected, and on we'll go!! Today's news will soon become tomorrows chip paper! (sigh, and shrug!)

Just totally agree, democracy and free speech have mean just that. Trump must be allowed to visit. Sick to death of people who say they believe in free speech and yet silence others because they don't agree. Young soldiers in the 1st and 2nd WW fought and died for that freedom, such a shame thay today's younger, shouting, screaming, hysterical, over emotional so called educated neo liberals don't truly understand. I'm beginning to think USA will be far more honest than our so called friends I Europe. Just look at the way they have responded to a democratic vote here re Brexit! You don't have to like what people say but you will respect them if they are honest.