Now we have Mr Bercow, it’s time for our MPs to be bold

By Kathryn White

So, the man from Buckingham won it. As a local (from neighbouring Aylesbury), I have a lot of time for John Bercow. He’s widely respected in his constituency and by local politicians and others who work most closely with him. He’s a good communicator and has the ability to prove a uniting force within the House of Commons. I am prepared to trust him, for now, to make the most of this opportunity for change. He enters the role with huge public momentum for reform. He needs and deserves unswerving support from the members of his House to bring that reform to fruition.

I just hope our Labour MPs feel the same way. Whilst many Tory backbenchers were visibly displeased at his election, I believe it represents an important opportunity for the Parliamentary Labour Party. Push Bercow to be bold: be vocal in letting him know he has your support to carry through radical change over the next 12 months. Only by pressing him for fundamental reforms will the PLP expose the Conservative Party for what it really is: elitist, reactionary and deeply adverse to anything other than cosmetic tweaking.

Already we are starting to see some of the Old Blue colours seeping back, as evidenced by the mealy-mouthed mutterings this morning vowing to unseat Bercow after the next Election. Put concerted pressure on Bercow to act and act quickly, not to score points or call his bluff but because you mean it. Only then will the Tories be flushed out into the open and exposed for what they truly are.

It’s an old truism that if you love something, let it go and it will come back to you. During what little remains of this Parliament, I would urge our Labour MPs to have the courage to let go. Think big; propose what may feel like outrageously bold reforms in order to stimulate debate and change, rather than remaining fixated on your own election. The path is there for you to lead the way. If you do so, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised. Electoral success, the main preoccupation of so many for so long, may just well follow in your wake.