John Bercow is outstaying his own welcome

Some of Britain’s top Berc-ologists met recently to discuss a letter sent by John Bercow to MPs nearly a decade ago. He was advertising his suitability as a successor to Speaker Martin and he promised to serve ‘no more than nine years in total,’ if he were to win the election on June 22 2009. ‘Any Speaker should be able to make a mark in that time,’ he added, setting himself an idiosyncratic goal. To make a mark. As if parliament were a concrete bridge and the Speaker were a hoodie with a spray-can.

Today, nine years and a bit later, is the first PMQs since Bercow outstayed his own welcome. His presence is therefore an affront to the house. He has defied the Chair. He has ignored the Speaker’s ruling. He has trashed not only the authority of the Commons but his own integrity as well. His word is worthless, his vows are false.