After John Bercow announced in the House of Commons that he would block any calls for President Trump to speak in Westminster Hall on his forthcoming state visit, there was an outcry from Conservative MPs who accused the Speaker of grandstanding. Given that Bercow failed to consult the Speaker of the Lords and President Trump has never even expressed an interest in speaking before Parliament, they appeared to have a point.
So, when James Duddridge, the Tory MP, tabled a motion of no confidence ahead of recess, there was much chatter that the Speaker could be on the way out. Expectations were later reduced somewhat, with Conservative sources predicting that around 150 MPs would come out against Bercow. Alas that too appears to have been an optimistic estimate.
In truth, just five MPs have signed the motion of no confidence: James Duddridge, Andrew Bridgen, Daniel Kawczynski, Karl McCartney and Alec Shelbrooke.
It looks like the Speaker won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
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