Who is running this country?

A bit like Mark Francois, petra?

I disagree Buster. Bercow has been quite outspoken right from the start. The difference is that Parliament as an institution hasn't been attacked to the same extent as Johnson/Cummings and their acolytes are trying to attack it now. I doubt if so many people have followed parliamentary procedure quite so closely in the past.

BusterTank
Little man syndrome ?
You have to feel a little bit sorry for him ?

Cummings spent 3 years working in Russia - he's a well known fan of the country and who knows what connections he still has there? If you add that to the fact that we know that Putin wants to destabilise the West by breaking up the EU (Brexit is only the first step in his plan), anyone who can help him do it, by whatever means, will be A Friend of Russia.

Just like some posters

Getting fed up of the attacks on Bercow. He's only making them follow The Rules, and they hate him for it. It's like watching a gang of school bullies rage against their teacher for making them behave.

Funny how he hasn't really made stand before , on other votes over the years . We all know his remainer and is try in to make Brexit as hard as possible . So White waves perhaps you should open your eyes and buck up .

At the moment it is that little so full of himself so-and-so Bercow. I am counting down the days till he goes - unless he changes his mind. I wouldn't put it past him.......

I agree with growstuff..and the OP's anxiety about the power of SPAD Cummings and, the power Milne has over Corbyn. Experts are great and should be utilised but when the elected leaders seem dependent on them, we don't like it. The Press eventually digs them out. They don't like exposure or the limelight preferring to work behind the scenes Machievelli- like.

Thank you Neil

I am equally shocked at how so many on here are defending Bercow.

It’s inconceivable to me why he wasn’t kicked out the minute it became apparent how biased he is.

How is Maizie being patronising maddyone? I've read that kind of claim many times from those on GN who voted to leave the EU.

Bercow is only not impartial to those who don't want Parliamentary scrutiny and have an agenda they don't want to be challenged.

Of course, the partial media will do all it can to smear Bercow, the judiciary and the civil service and anybody else who truly cares about democracy behind the shrill squawks of populists.

buster

Think about it.

If the rules say such and such. Then that is that.

If they don’t there is nothing Bercow can do about it.

Do buck up

John Bercow is manipulating the rules to suit him self . He supposed to be impartial and he isn't . He thinks he is being so clever at the moment , he should be thrown out on his back side .

The short answer to the OP's question is: Parliament.

It is why DC keeps thumping the table and why the PM thumps the air and people try to make out that Bercow is biased against those who would undermine Parliament.

Very patronising Maizie. Typical of a remainer to be patronising I’m afraid.

Alastair Campbell was Phoney Tony Blairs' chief advisor and he was un-elected. Ditto Dominic Cummings with Boris the Buffoon.

Both Mr Campbell and Mr Cummings have reputations for being bad tempered bullies.

The country is being run by a bunch of egotistical willy-wavers......

I agree with you too Tinydancer, which is why I don't hold with the people who vilify MPs for not voting the way their constituents did in the referendum. Some of them are doing it in the hope of hanging on to their seats, not because they believe Brexit is the best thing for their country - or even their constituents.

Constituents/voters are heavily influenced by a non-neutral press. MPs are (or should) be in a position to have a more balanced view of the whole picture. That's why the media are so keen to frame the law and Speaker as traitors and to push the idea that all MPs are useless. It all supports the "Parliament vs people" agenda.

I despair when I hear the civil service “run the country” - if that is were true we wouldn’t lurch through such turbulent times. Yes, they may influence or get in the way at times (sometimes thank goodness!) but many are currently burnt out, Brexit taking so much unproductive time, implementing cuts has also taken a toll. Are “they” remainers? Maybe the majority are, now let me think why that may be!!!

You're right. Cummings isn't a civil servant. He's a political appointment and is still subject to contempt of Parliament for his behaviour during the referendum.

Hear-hear, moleswife.

Don't know about Dominic Cummings, although I feel he is an odious little man, but the non-dom tax avoiding billionaire newspaper owners have quite a big say in what happens. Even to the extent of bragging about it in the case of the Sun. The headlines are believed by gullible people and if it means it will affect their revenue from advertisers will not report scandals which affect us all. Sad state of affairs.

I totally agree JenniferEccles. Shameful, we don’t seem to have had a decent, honest Speaker since Betty Boothroyd resigned/retired

I couldn't agree more Amagram. What matters even more than Brexit are principles. After Brexit has become a chapter in the history books (admittedly a pretty weighty one), any precedents set now will become part of the "de facto" constitution.

As for Dominic Cummings - he has not, I believe, been subject to the rigorous selection procedure which Civil Servants undergo, nor the rigors of an election. Yet he calls all the shots.
How, then, do we know what sort of decision-maker our PM will be after the 31st Oct?