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John Bercow defects to Labour with withering attack on Johnson
Also: Former Speaker and Conservative MP John Bercow joins Labour (BBC)
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Source: The Observer
John Bercow defects to Labour with withering attack on Johnson
Former Speaker says party has become reactionary and xenophobic under its current leadership
Toby Helm Political editor
Sat 19 Jun 2021 23.49 BST
John Bercow, the former Tory MP and Speaker of the House of Commons, has delivered an extraordinary broadside against Boris Johnson and the Conservative party as he announces he has switched his political allegiance to Labour.
In an explosive interview with the Observer, Bercow says he regards today’s Conservative party as “reactionary, populist, nationalistic and sometimes even xenophobic”.
Bercow, who stepped down as Speaker in 2019 after 10 years, says he joined the Labour party a few weeks ago because he now shares its values and sees it as the only means to removing the current Tory government from office.
“I am motivated by support for equality, social justice and internationalism. That is the Labour brand,” he said. “The conclusion I have reached is that this government needs to be replaced. The reality is that the Labour party is the only vehicle that can achieve that objective. There is no other credible option.”
Bercow says that despite Johnson’s professed commitment to “levelling up”, he has no interest in those less privileged than himself. He also describes as “utterly shameful” the government’s decision to cut international aid.
-snip-
Former Speaker says party has become reactionary and xenophobic under its current leadership
Toby Helm Political editor
Sat 19 Jun 2021 23.49 BST
John Bercow, the former Tory MP and Speaker of the House of Commons, has delivered an extraordinary broadside against Boris Johnson and the Conservative party as he announces he has switched his political allegiance to Labour.
In an explosive interview with the Observer, Bercow says he regards today’s Conservative party as “reactionary, populist, nationalistic and sometimes even xenophobic”.
Bercow, who stepped down as Speaker in 2019 after 10 years, says he joined the Labour party a few weeks ago because he now shares its values and sees it as the only means to removing the current Tory government from office.
“I am motivated by support for equality, social justice and internationalism. That is the Labour brand,” he said. “The conclusion I have reached is that this government needs to be replaced. The reality is that the Labour party is the only vehicle that can achieve that objective. There is no other credible option.”
Bercow says that despite Johnson’s professed commitment to “levelling up”, he has no interest in those less privileged than himself. He also describes as “utterly shameful” the government’s decision to cut international aid.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jun/19/john-bercow-defects-to-labour-with-withering-attack-on-johnson
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Source: BBC
Former Speaker and Conservative MP John Bercow joins Labour
20 June 2021
Former Speaker of the House of Commons and Tory MP John Bercow says he has changed allegiances to join Labour.
He told the Observer the Conservatives under Boris Johnson were "reactionary, populist, nationalistic and sometimes even xenophobic".
The government "needs to be replaced", said Mr Bercow, who made controversial procedural decisions over the Brexit process during his time as Speaker.
A senior government source said: "This will surprise nobody."
It "shows Labour is still the party of Remain", the source added.
-snip-
20 June 2021
Former Speaker of the House of Commons and Tory MP John Bercow says he has changed allegiances to join Labour.
He told the Observer the Conservatives under Boris Johnson were "reactionary, populist, nationalistic and sometimes even xenophobic".
The government "needs to be replaced", said Mr Bercow, who made controversial procedural decisions over the Brexit process during his time as Speaker.
A senior government source said: "This will surprise nobody."
It "shows Labour is still the party of Remain", the source added.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-57541836
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