Speaker to move his family into rent-free flat at Commons

12 April 2012

John Bercow began a programme of reform as Speaker today by dumping the traditional court robes and bringing a young family into Speaker's House for the first time.

But he took his place in front of a divided Commons, where Tories folded their arms in protest.

The new Commons Speaker wore a plain business suit and tie, topped by an academic gown, dispensing with the traditional white tie, wig and buckled shoes. He said: "I think it is perfectly proper that the Speaker should wear a business suit and have a simple and unfussy gown over that suit and that is what I intend to do."

Taking the chair for his first session — health questions — Mr Bercow said "order, order" in a clear voice but stumbled over the order of business. He then told MPs he wanted short questions and quick answers from ministers.

"I am determined we make good progress through the order paper," he added, to loud cries of "hear, hear".

Junior health minister Ann Keen congratulated him on election and Mr Bercow asked MPs not to waste time by praising him further. However, Tory MPs were already silent and their health spokesman Tim Loughton did not join in the tributes.

It was an ominous start for a presiding officer who was warned by some Conservatives that he does not command the full support of the House.

With wife Sally he is planning to bring his three young children into the historic grace-and-favour apartment at the Commons overlooking the Thames, the first time a young family will have taken up residence there.

"We are keen to come to Speaker's House," he said. "It's a fantastic apartment but it's not altogether child-friendly."

Tory Mr Bercow, 46, said he would not claim a second-home allowance as a result and denied "milking" his Commons expenses by claiming the maximum for food.

"I have always behaved properly and honourably," he said. "I have complied with the law, I have claimed allowances which I am entitled to claim."

As the 157th Speaker, Mr Bercow gets a salary of £146,041 and a pension for life of £40,000 after he stands down, in addition to his free apartment.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Mrs Bercow said: "I'm very proud of John. I think he will be a great reforming speaker and a great credit to the country." However, after a bruising battle for the job, the new Speaker was today warned by former Conservative colleagues that he could be ousted after the next election.

Tory MP Nadine Dorries branded his success "a two-fingered salute" by Labour MPs to irritate David Cameron. She called it "the last hurrah of a dying Labour government" and a "vindictive political act".

Mr Bercow's victory was by 322 votes over fellow Tory Sir George Young's 271. Ms Dorries claimed just two Conservatives backed him — which he denied.

Shadow leader of the Commons Alan Duncan urged Tories to respect the new Speaker. "What we have to do is respect the Speakership and the Speaker and make sure that the dignity of the House of Commons, which has gone through a very difficult few months, is restored.

"I think it's undoubtedly true to say that John is a motivated and complex character. I think that a lot of people, of course, are annoyed that he worked out how to get elected and got there."

Gordon Brown today revealed that the new Parliamentary Standards Bill would make it a criminal offence for MPs to breach a new code of conduct on expenses.

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