The vast majority of Tory MPs do not want John Bercow to be Speaker; I’ve only spoken to one who favours his candidacy. The Tories complain that Labour’s support for Bercow is a plot to appear bi-partisan while actually being crudely political.
Today’s Mail on Sunday editorial is a punchy expression of this viewpoint:
“It appears Gordon Brown and the Labour machine are seriously considering the officially Tory – but increasingly New Labour – MP John Bercow for the Speakership. Leaving aside the weirdly flexible Mr Bercow’s questionable qualifications for the post, this plan is actually disgraceful, and a sign that the Prime Minister and his circle have learned little, or nothing, from the events of the past few weeks. It is low politics, plainly designed as vengeance on the Tories for bringing down a Labour Speaker.
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