Shabby Intentions

There is certainly the beginnings of a concerted whispering campaign against the Speaker, John Bercow in sections of the media. The Mail and the Telegraph are printing any comment about him and maximising the negative. Former Speaker, Betty Boothroyd, regretted JB's decision to dispense with traditional gaiters. Hardly a newsworthy event. The Mail said this was the latest "humiliation" and implied she considered him "scruffy", a word our Betty did not actually use.

He look scruffy to you?

In recent times he has been criticised for simply declaring to a constituent his opinion on fox-hunting as if he had broken the seals of his office. Grumpy Health Minister, Simon Burns, felt emboldened to call him a "sanctimious, stupid dwarf." Then apologised to dwarves everywhere.

The Tory backbench mafiosi are equally vocal in their quest to bring down the Speaker. Deputy Chair of 1922 Committee, Mark Pritchard, is picking fights with Mr Speaker like some garrulous playground tick. After a recent spat in the chamber, Pritchard found he was in the way of the Speaker's entourage and seemingly expected the Bercow make way for him. "You're not f-ing royalty," he bellowed.

"And a good morning to you, sir" responded Bercow, maintaining dignity under duress.

Executing the role of Speaker is vital to an effective Commons. The Tories may not like it when he upbraids hopeless Ministers, like Gove, on procedures and courtesies, but that is his job. Bercow is proving to be a very able speaker - his excellent lecture on comparing 1911 and 2011 Governments showed he has an acute historical perspective on Parliament too.

And history shows there have been many foul and even murderous campaigns against various Speakers so he should not be unduly worried. We have rather got into the habit of considering the Speaker to be a kindly Uncle Bernie Weatherill or cosy Aunt Betty B.

Even they had their confrontations. But little would compare with this encounter with Tory Chief Whip, Patrick McLoughlin who feels able to openly challenge the authority of the House.

http//www.youtube.com/watch?=yd2YyZP0b8

Bercow showed he understood when to dispense with charm and turn his full ire on the big bully, calling him back from "scurrying from the chamber."

Ultimately these tribal attacks from the right of the party will not succeed. Like the man in the fable, the lashing of wind and rain only makes this Speaker hold onto his mantle even tighter.