Speaker of the House is stepping down after 10 year...

Love him or hate him or tolerate him or simply admire him for his oratory skills, the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow will be replaced today after 10 years in the role.

The Speakers role is to oversee parliamentary procedure, and call on MPs to speak. He or she is supposed to be impartial, although it was thought that Bercow was more partial to remain side although he vehemently denied that partiality.

He definitely brought a giggle or two (or many more) with his wit and trademark "odd-DEURRRR, odd-DEURRRRR!" when things got out of hand. He will be missed (at least by me). Although locals in the UK, may cringe at the going's on when Parliament is in session, Bercow tended to enhance the show in his trademark style and demeanor.

There were 7 contenders (thanks BBC for the details of the list)

  • Chris Bryant - former minister and shadow Commons leader; Labour MP for Rhondda since 2001
  • Harriet Harman - former minister and deputy Labour leader; Labour MP since 1982, for Peckham and its successor constituency Camberwell
  • Meg Hillier - chairwoman of the Public Accounts Committee and former minister; Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch since 2005
  • Sir Lindsay Hoyle - elected Labour MP for Chorley in 1997; elected deputy Speaker in 2010
  • Dame Eleanor Laing - elected Conservative MP for Epping Forest in 1997; elected deputy Speaker in 2013
  • Sir Edward Leigh - Conservative MP for Gainsborough since 1983; former chairman of the Public Accounts Committee
  • Dame Rosie Winterton - elected Labour MP for Doncaster Central in 1997; former Labour chief whip; elected deputy Speaker in 2017

BBC parliamentary correspondent Mark D'Arcy targeted Sir Lindsay Hoyle as the odds on favorite.

The first round vote had;

Chris Bryant - 98

Harriet Harman - 72

Meg Hillier - 10

Lindsay Hoyle - 211

Eleanor Laing -113

Edward Leigh - 12

Rosie Winterton - 46

Hiller and Leigh received less than 5% of the vote and were eliminated from the 2nd round. Greater than 50% is needed to assume the speakership post.

The 2nd round came in at:

Sir Lindsay Hoyle: 244 (211)
Dame Eleanor Laing: 122 (113)
Chris Bryant: 120 (98)
Harriet Harman: 59 (72)
Dame Rosie Winterton: 30 (46)

Hoyle is still short of the 50% needed.

Winterton was been eliminated. Harmon has also pulled out leaving Hoyle, Laing and Bryant. The next vote should do it.

In an interesting sideshow AFTER the winning speaker is announced, is that members literally drag the speaker to the chair. This is because in the long history (dating back to 1377), there have been no fewer than 7 speakers beheaded (the last in 1535). Hence the playful act of dragging the speaker to the chair. Below is the video of that tradition 10 years ago (PS Bercow's hair was a little more in control). Him

Below is a video of some of the memorable moments from Bercows 10 years from the BBC.

PS. He would be on the final list of people I would like to share a pint with.....