Over the last week, there has been public outcry over remarks made by the House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, denouncing Donald Trump's sexism and racism and stating his 'strong opposition' to Trump making a speech in Parliament. The outcry is in 2 parts: firstly, the speaker should remain impartial on all matters to ensure fairness, and the hypocrisy of allowing leaders with poor human rights records to speak but not Trump. There are calls for Mr Bercow to resign the speakership, with a motion of no confidence being drawn up.
Personally, I believe John Bercow was absolutely right to say what he did. An address in Westminster Hall is not an American president's right, and should instead be earned. This doesn't mean the UK can't have a successful relationship with the US, or the President cannot visit, but simply not allowing Mr Trump to make a speech. That doesn't silence free speech - after all, Mr Trump could make the same speech elsewhere. As for impartiality, Mr Bercow is one of three people whom decides which people can make a speech. Of course he will have an opinion on the matter - that is part of his job! The comments were made long after the American election, when Mr Trump has been sworn in and will be in office - whatever happens - for the next four years, at least. Simply because John Bercow is the Speaker doesn't mean he cannot give any view, where appropriate. Mr Bercow has also recently made comments about his stance on Brexit: voting remain. I doubt he will be forcibly removed from his post, as there is support from all parties on the way he has, necessarily, modernised Parliament. I presume he will voluntarily quit the post next year, which would seem an appropriate length of time. As long as he allows members of all opinions to speak, which he has over the last 8 years, I don't see where the issue lies. ****************************************************************************************************************** Well done Jeremy Corbyn for exposing the secret Tory deal between the leader of Surrey County Council and an adviser to the Department for Communities and Local Government. It would appear that, had the text been sent to the correct Nick, a deal between the Government and Surrey County Council would have increased the amount of money provided to the council, meaning Surrey County Council wouldn't have a referendum on raising council tax. The referendum was embarrassing both for the Government and County Council, meaning anything would have been done to try and avoid it. To me, this seems like a stitch-up. Why should Surrey, lovely though I'm sure it is, receive more money, just to avoid a referendum. Note that the county is an utter Tory stronghold with the Chancellor, Transport Secretary and, ironically, the Health Secretary's constituencies located there. I can imagine the Government would want to keep those voters pleased, putting them before areas that would always vote Labour. In my view, investment in social care should increase everywhere, being evenly distributed among counties in terms of population, demand and other factors - not voting allegiance. Secret Tory deals should not be the way forward. ****************************************************************************************************************** I'm pleased to see that 'Roots', the series documenting the life of Kunta Kinte, a Gambian slave shipped to America, has been remade on BBC4. If the first episode is anything to go by, the new series should be an excellent retelling. I watched the original series a few years ago, as part of a slavery course, and was shocked by the sneering racism and conditions slaves were treated in, but moved by the determination of the African Americans, wanting to be treated respectively and equally. 40 years on, I feel a remake is necessary, as more information will have been discovered, leading to greater accuracy. It is so important that we learn where we come from; the struggles of the past against the established view in order to form our own opinion on the world and its future. As a series, 'Roots' allows this to happen.
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