Newly elected Commons Speaker faces task of reform
- 00:02:16
- ITN
Newly elected Commons Speaker faces task of reform
Tory MP John Bercow has won the race to replace Michael Martin as Speaker of the Commons. Mr Bercow topped all three secret ballots - beating his only challenger in the third, Sir George Young - by 51 votes. The self-styled "clean-break candidate," widely regarded as more popular on the Labour benches than his own, secured victory after promising a period of change and reform. He told MPs: "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the confidence that you have placed in me and I am keenly aware of the obligations into which I now enter. "My commitment to this house is to be completely impartial between members of one political party and another. "We have faced quite the most testing time which has left many members feeling very sore and vulnerable but large sections of the public also feel angry and disappointed." He added: "I continue to believe the vast majority of Members of this House are upright, decent, honourable people who have come into politics not to feather their nests but because they have heeded the call of public service. "For such people I shall always have the highest respect and it is on that basis, in that spirit, and with that conviction, that I shall seek to discharge my obligations in this House which I regard, as I have said, as the greatest privilege of my professional life to occupy." Mr Bercow succeeds Mr Martin, who became the first Speaker in 300 years forced to step down because of his handling of the expenses scandal. Voting in the third and final ballot - after all the other contenders had been eliminated or dropped out - was 322 for Mr Bercow and 271 for Tory former Cabinet minister Sir George. Cheers and applause broke out in the Commons chamber when the result was announced. In keeping with tradition, Mr Bercow was 'reluctantly dragged' to the Speaker's chair by his supporters. The last two holders of the office, Mr Martin and Betty Boothroyd, were both from the Labour ranks.
ITN | June 23, 2009
