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Slight slip for Speaker's mask of political neutrality

Michael Crick | 11:47 UK time, Friday, 26 February 2010

Oh dear. The Speaker John Bercow let his mask of political neutrality slip slightly for the Oxford University newspaper Cherwell.

"We must learn from what Blair has done," Mr Bercow told interviewer Clement Knox. And by "we", Mr Bercow clearly meant the Tories, the Cherwell account suggests.

Mr Bercow was explaining to the student newspaper that his own political shift over the years (from right to centre left) had been "partly philosophical and partly pragmatic", and that such a shift was required for the Conservatives to "capture the centre ground".

And Mr Bercow says he has always been committed to principles such as "free enterprise, individual liberty and the rule of law", and also "believed very strongly in social justice and an overwhelming need for equality before the law".

Would every MP sign up to such principles?

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    My several experiences of Mr.Bercow suggest that he is more an opportunist than a principled politician.

    Some of his local party would question his conservatism but he would be equally justified in questioning their humanity.

    Buckingham could be best described as an exotic constituency with a good quality but modern university bolted onto what could have been a county town if history had been different surrounded by a countryside which embodies that delightful mix of conservatism and radical dissent which is the true rural England.

    It always amazes me that it is deemed a safe Tory seat. The last two MPs have evolved into rather flakey figures on the Tory Left. It can only be the water. I wonder how Farage will prosper in Buckingham?

  • Comment number 2.

    The use of 'we' by certain in theory objective parties when hinting at 'their' political allegiances are many and certainly can be illuminating. Ta for bringing it up.

    The ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ twitter pages are often also these days a worthy resource.

    I would however avoid those of various pols for a while, as many of those tasked with guiding us do seem to have found certain URLs hard to resist and are currently reaping the, er, 'benefits'.

  • Comment number 3.

    ‘Slight slip for Speaker's mask of political neutrality’

    Mr Bercow was explaining to the student newspaper that his own political shift over the years (from right to centre left) had been "partly philosophical and partly pragmatic", and that such a shift was required for the Conservatives to "capture the centre ground".

    And Mr Bercow says he has always been committed to principles such as "free enterprise, individual liberty and the rule of law", and also "believed very strongly in social justice and an overwhelming need for equality before the law".

    ---------------------------

    These Israeli loving trotskyite anarchists are very consistent indeed...and are anything but neutral!

  • Comment number 4.

    This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

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