John bercow has held the role of Speaker since 2009; an appointment that is unequivocal in its stance to staying neutral. However, The Speaker broke that responsibility Monday evening, as he proposed his own views, suggesting a silence to be placed over Trump, barring his right to address Parliament during his time in the UK in the coming future.
The Speakers views
The Speaker concluded his speech most strongly by placing emphasis on the 'value' he saw in the UK and USA's relationship, yet continued to scold President Donald Trump's most recently implemented executive orders.
Bercow stated that to address parliament was not an 'automatic right,' but instead was in fact to be an 'earned honor.' The Speaker affirmed his discontent towards the newly appointed President, firmly stating that 'before the imposition of the migrant ban, I would myself have been opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall.' He then went on to actively assail Trump suggesting that following the travel ban implemented last week, Bercow made certain that he is 'even more strongly opposed,' and finally declaring that the Speaker definitely would 'not like to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery.'
Barcow heeded his lack of authority to comment on the State Visit, observing that is is 'way beyond and above the pay-grade of the Speaker.' Theresa May granted a state visit to the #President last week, despite a UK petition garnering over 1.7 million signatures to block his visit, accompanied by protests attended by thousands up and down the country.
However, Bercow did speak collectively for the House of Commons, stating that 'Our opposition to racism and sexism, and our support for equality before the law, and an independent judiciary, are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons.'
Reaction from The House Of Commons
The Speaker's testimony did appear to receive much appreciation and applaud from the House, most notably from Dennis Skinner, a Labour Party member since 1970.
Skinner rose and declared admiration towards the speech as simply as 'Two words: Well Done.' Followed by a tweet by Owen Smith, whom once ran for Labour leadership, stating that the Speaker 'showed great leadership today'.
However, the Tories reciprocated with a bleaker and more placid complexion. Crispin Blunt, a Conservative MP described the matter as 'regrettable,' as well as Nadhim Zahawi, a Tory backbencher, suggesting Mr. Bercow was a hypocrite.
Both sides remain split on whether Bercow's act of speaking out towards #Trump was that of strong leadership, or an overstepping oh his rights as a neutral Speaker.
