Ex-Speaker John Bercow may have to join Labour Party if he wants to be a Lord as Number 10 hints it will BLOCK attempts to install him in upper chamber
- Jeremy Corbyn is said to have put Bercow forward for seat in the upper chamber
- Ex-Speakers are usually made peers as a reward for their service to Parliament
- But PM Boris Johnson has blocked move for Bercow after he helped stall Brexit
John Bercow may have to join the Labour Party if he wants a peerage after Downing Street hinted it will block attempts to install the ex-Speaker in the House of Lords.
Jeremy Corbyn is said to have put forward the former Commons custodian for a seat in the upper chamber, as well as some of his closest left-wing cronies.
It came after Boris Johnson refused to elevate Mr Bercow – as is customary for a former Speaker – a move seen as a rebuke for his efforts to stall Brexit last year.
Boris Johnson refused to elevate Mr Bercow as is customary for a former Speaker, a move seen as a rebuke for his efforts to stall Brexit last year
No 10 suggested it would block any new attempt to place the outspoken former MP in the Lords, and claimed Mr Corbyn could only nominate people from his own party.
Mr Johnson’s Official Spokesman told reporters yesterday: ‘It is a long-standing convention that leaders of the opposition can nominate people representing their party for peerages.’
Mr Bercow could also put himself forward to the House of Lords Appointments Commission, but the PM could still shoot this down.
Mr Bercow became Tory MP for Buckingham in 1997 and represented the seat until the December election.
In his decade as Speaker he was officially an independent and officially neutral.
But he was accused of repeatedly twisting parliamentary procedure to help Remainers thwart the government.
Mr Bercow was also embroiled in rows over bullying allegations – which he flatly denied – and his lavish expenses.
Jeremy Corbyn is said to have put forward the reviled former Commons custodian for a seat in the upper chamber, as well as some of his closest left-wing cronies
According to the Sunday Times, Mr Corbyn – who praised Mr Bercow’s handling of Brexit – has now nominated Mr Bercow for a peerage.
He is also said to have put forward former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson, with whom he had an often tense working relationship.
And Mr Corbyn’s former key aide and chief of staff Karie Murphy could also get a coveted seat in the Upper Chamber.
Labour refused to comment on any of the claims.
The trio reportedly appear on an eight-strong list of dissolution honours nominations put forward by the Labour chief, who will quit his post in April after leading the party to two successive general election defeats.
Vetting is expected to begin on the nominations soon.