- United Kingdom: The House of Commons elects Lindsay Hoyle as a replacement for John Bercow
John Bercow took off his mask and could finally speak with an open heart. The former president of the House of Commons, famous for his calls to "order", did not hesitate to describe Brexit "as the biggest mistake of this country since the war."
Bercow, accused of his anti-Brexit bias in the struggle between the Government and Parliament, said he tried to be "impartial" in his role despite having voted in favor of permanence. "Since I am no longer the 'speaker', if you ask me if Brexit is good for our country on the international scene, I will honestly say no, I don't think it's good," Bercow added, in an event organized by the Federation of Foreign Journalists (FPA).
"I respect Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but Brexit is not going to help us," said former controversial former speaker, criticized in his day for driving his wife's car, Sally, with the sticker "Fuck with Brexit " . "It would be better for us to be part of the European Union bloc, better for investments and better for our geopolitical status."
Bercow did not hesitate to accuse Boris Johnson of "constitutional outrage" for his attempt to temporarily suspend Parliament for more than three weeks in the critical phase of Brexit. "That is not the way to work," argued the former 'speaker'. "By 11 to 0, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of the restoration of Parliament's sessions and I think that result speaks for itself."
Despite the acrimony provoked by the Brexit debate, Bercow said that only once did it have to be used thoroughly with calls to order to Johnson himself. It was on September 25, when the 'premier' disqualified as "hoaxes" the threats received by Labor Paula Sherriff: " That day the papers were lost and the debate went to extremes."
And in the face of criticism from Johnson himself and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, "I must say that this Parliament has not been a disgrace" (word from Bercow). "This Parliament was elected a year after the EU referendum and is the reflection of a divided country, neither more nor less ... It is easy to lose patience, but sometimes we forget that the work of a Parliament is to debate, analyze and scrutinize any political decision in detail. "
"And that we are only in the first phase of Brexit," Bercow warned. "The second, if the exit agreement is finally approved, will be the trade agreement, and this can be extended by five years or even 10". In the worst possible scenario, the former 'speaker' predicts that the United Kingdom can take up to 15 years to settle the Brexit issue.
At 56, relieved by Labor Lindsay Hoyle, Bercow says he faces the new stage of his life with optimism and humor, and a million-dollar contract for a book (plus requests that come from half the world to give lectures). If any satisfaction remains, he says, is to have given "relevance" to Parliament.
Those who criticize him for having given himself "self-pomp" and for having frustrated Brexit are in his right, he says. But he leaves with a clear conscience. And who will vote for 12-D? "" I was conservative until I resigned from the militancy in 2009 because of the impartiality required by the position. I reserve in any case the right to reveal which party I will vote for. "
Tennis fan , author of a book on the 20 best tennis players in the world, Bercow expressed his great admiration for Roger Federer, whom he places at the top, followed closely by Nadal. "For me he is still the biggest with 20 Grand Slams, although Rafa follows closely with 19. Winning 12 times like him Roland Garros is something really historic ... But my favorite is still Roger."
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