This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8114086.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Bercow faces first day as Speaker Bercow's 'great responsibility'
(about 3 hours later)
John Bercow is starting work as Speaker of the House of Commons amid signs of some Conservative opposition. John Bercow has told the BBC he feels a "great responsibility" as he begins his job as House of Commons Speaker.
Mr Bercow got 322 votes to fellow Tory MP Sir George Young's 271 in the third and final round of secret voting. Mr Bercow also promised he would not claim second home allowances while serving in his new post.
Gordon Brown and opposition leaders welcomed the appointment of Mr Bercow, who stood on a platform of reform and pledged to heal public "anger". The Buckingham MP got 322 votes to fellow Tory MP Sir George Young's 271 in the final round of secret voting to decide who would take on the role.
However, he is unpopular among some in his party who feel the ex-right winger has become too close to New Labour.However, he is unpopular among some in his party who feel the ex-right winger has become too close to New Labour.
THE SPEAKER'S ROLE The Speaker controls the proceedings of the House of Commons, chairing debates, keeping order and calling on MPs to speakThe Speaker is also responsible for the running of much of Parliament - including the Fees OfficeThe Speaker represents the House of Commons' independence in dealing with the monarchySpeakers are elected by MPs in a Commons vote, traditionally remaining in the role until retirement or death and re-elected automatically after general elections class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8113621.stm">Profile: John Bercow class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8113643.stm">How runners and riders fared Gordon Brown and opposition leaders welcomed the appointment of Mr Bercow, who stood on a platform of reform and pledged to heal public "anger".
It is believed some Conservative MPs hope to be able to mount a challenge to unseat him after the next election.It is believed some Conservative MPs hope to be able to mount a challenge to unseat him after the next election.
'Brisker progress'
In an interview with the BBC, Speaker Bercow defended his own expense claims, insisting that he had paid money back voluntarily to cover the tax he had saved after he was accused of "flipping" his home.
THE SPEAKER'S ROLE The Speaker controls the proceedings of the House of Commons, chairing debates, keeping order and calling on MPs to speakThe Speaker is also responsible for the running of much of Parliament - including the Fees OfficeThe Speaker represents the House of Commons' independence in dealing with the monarchySpeakers are elected by MPs in a Commons vote, traditionally remaining in the role until retirement or death and re-elected automatically after general elections Profile: John Bercow How runners and riders fared
He said he had "behaved honourably".
Asked whether he would reverse the decision to black out MPs expense claims, he said that he favoured greater transparency but would need to consult on how information was presented in future.
Mr Bercow said he would ditch the job's traditional tights and wear a business suit and "smart but unfussy" gown for his role, adding: "The wig has gone."
He added that he wanted to see "brisker progress" in the day to day business of the House of Commons with shorter questions and answers and a "more considered" approach to business.
Questioned whether he was prepared to discipline the prime minister and the leader of the opposition to achieve this, he answered: "Quite."
The Speaker acknowledged that many in his own party were opposed to his own candidacy, but suggested that this was because they were used to someone of a different generation holding the position.
He said that he would win their backing "by good performance".
'Upright and decent'
Mr Bercow will be in the chair for business in the Commons on Tuesday from 1430 BST with his first challenge being to establish his authority over the House.Mr Bercow will be in the chair for business in the Commons on Tuesday from 1430 BST with his first challenge being to establish his authority over the House.
Mr Bercow was elected on a platform of radical reform, declaring himself the "clean break candidate".Mr Bercow was elected on a platform of radical reform, declaring himself the "clean break candidate".
He will be under pressure to deliver on his promises and help put in place new procedures and systems to restore public trust in Parliament.He will be under pressure to deliver on his promises and help put in place new procedures and systems to restore public trust in Parliament.
Mr Bercow is unpopular with large swathes of the Conservative Party after undergoing a political journey from right-wing Thatcherite to outspoken social liberal rumoured to have been close to defecting to Labour.Mr Bercow is unpopular with large swathes of the Conservative Party after undergoing a political journey from right-wing Thatcherite to outspoken social liberal rumoured to have been close to defecting to Labour.
'Upright and decent'
He won the support of many Labour MPs, who are convinced he will stand up to Conservative leader David Cameron, but there was a marked lack of applause from the Tory benches.He won the support of many Labour MPs, who are convinced he will stand up to Conservative leader David Cameron, but there was a marked lack of applause from the Tory benches.
What they regret is the partisan way he has been elected, with some Labour MPs backing Bercow, not because they thought he was the right reforming Speaker, but because they knew it would anger the Tory benches James Landale BBC chief political correspondent Read James Landale's full verdict
Mr Bercow's election was given royal approval in a traditional Parliamentary ceremony on Monday night.Mr Bercow's election was given royal approval in a traditional Parliamentary ceremony on Monday night.
The Buckingham MP beat nine other candidates, including Labour's Margaret Beckett and Tory veteran Ann Widdecombe, to be named 157th Speaker.The Buckingham MP beat nine other candidates, including Labour's Margaret Beckett and Tory veteran Ann Widdecombe, to be named 157th Speaker.
He replaces Michael Martin who quit after nine years amid the furore over MPs' expenses.He replaces Michael Martin who quit after nine years amid the furore over MPs' expenses.
What they regret is the partisan way he has been elected, with some Labour MPs backing Bercow, not because they thought he was the right reforming Speaker, but because they knew it would anger the Tory benches James Landale BBC chief political correspondent Read James Landale's full verdict
After the result was announced, Mr Bercow was dragged to the chair, a tradition for the new Speaker, congratulated his nine rivals and told MPs it was the "greatest honour" of his political life.After the result was announced, Mr Bercow was dragged to the chair, a tradition for the new Speaker, congratulated his nine rivals and told MPs it was the "greatest honour" of his political life.
He said MPs felt "very sore and very vulnerable" in the wake of the expenses scandal but added "large sections of the public also feel angry and disappointed".He said MPs felt "very sore and very vulnerable" in the wake of the expenses scandal but added "large sections of the public also feel angry and disappointed".
"We do have to reform but I just want to say that I continue to believe that 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," he said."We do have to reform but I just want to say that I continue to believe that 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," he said.
Topped votingTopped voting
He was welcomed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in short speeches in the Commons chamber.He was welcomed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg in short speeches in the Commons chamber.
But Mr Bercow - who has acted as an adviser to Gordon Brown on support for children with learning difficulties - faced a mixed reception from Conservative MPs.But Mr Bercow - who has acted as an adviser to Gordon Brown on support for children with learning difficulties - faced a mixed reception from Conservative MPs.
One of them, Nadine Dorries, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that only three Tories had voted for Mr Bercow, and said his election had been "made through a red mist" as "the last hurrah of a dying Labour government".One of them, Nadine Dorries, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that only three Tories had voted for Mr Bercow, and said his election had been "made through a red mist" as "the last hurrah of a dying Labour government".
She added: "It was almost a two-finger salute to the British people from the Labour MPs, and to the Conservative Party. The Labour Party voting for John Bercow had nothing to do with reform."She added: "It was almost a two-finger salute to the British people from the Labour MPs, and to the Conservative Party. The Labour Party voting for John Bercow had nothing to do with reform."
Alan Duncan: "He is a highly intelligent man"Alan Duncan: "He is a highly intelligent man"
Alan Duncan, the shadow leader of the Commons, said it would be "churlish" to take anything away from his victory and said Mr Bercow deserved the respect of the House following his election.Alan Duncan, the shadow leader of the Commons, said it would be "churlish" to take anything away from his victory and said Mr Bercow deserved the respect of the House following his election.
But he said: "A lot of Conservatives feel that John positioned himself in order to woo Labour to get the Speakership. A lot of people are annoyed that it worked."But he said: "A lot of Conservatives feel that John positioned himself in order to woo Labour to get the Speakership. A lot of people are annoyed that it worked."
Anne Widdecombe, one of Mr Bercow's defeated rivals for the Speakership, said he had "a reputation, whether deserved or not, for quite deliberately trying to ingratiate himself with the Labour side".
She told BBC London 94.9: "But that is something that can be forgotten and can be smoothed over if he makes the effort."
Constitutional expert Professor Vernon Bogdanor of Oxford University said Mr Bercow needed to be seen as a servant of the public as well as of MPs.Constitutional expert Professor Vernon Bogdanor of Oxford University said Mr Bercow needed to be seen as a servant of the public as well as of MPs.
Professor Bogdanor added: "We saw him being dragged to the Speaker's chair yesterday, but he's now got to drag the House of Commons in modern times - that's how he'll be evaluated."Professor Bogdanor added: "We saw him being dragged to the Speaker's chair yesterday, but he's now got to drag the House of Commons in modern times - that's how he'll be evaluated."
Mr Bercow and Sir George Young topped the first two rounds of voting with 179 votes and 112 respectively in the first round, 221 to 174 in the second and 322 to 271 in the final round.Mr Bercow and Sir George Young topped the first two rounds of voting with 179 votes and 112 respectively in the first round, 221 to 174 in the second and 322 to 271 in the final round.