Nigel Farage hits out at ‘little man’ John Bercow during first Commons speech

By Staff reporter
Published 9th Jul 2024, 18:30 GMT
Updated 9th Jul 2024, 18:55 GMT
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Nigel Farage has used his first Commons speech to accuse “little man” John Bercow of trying to “overturn” Brexit during his time as Commons speaker.

The Reform UK leader, who dubbed his party the “new kids on the block”, elicited groans in the chamber as he took aim at Mr Bercow when welcoming Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s re-election as Speaker.

During his 10 years as speaker, Mr Bercow made numerous enemies among Tory Brexit-supporting MPs due to a series of decisions perceived as favouring the Remain camp.placeholder image
During his 10 years as speaker, Mr Bercow made numerous enemies among Tory Brexit-supporting MPs due to a series of decisions perceived as favouring the Remain camp.

Mr Farage said: “We absolutely endorse (Sir Lindsay) entirely for this job. And it is, I must say, in marked contrast to the little man that was there before you and besmirched the office so dreadfully in doing his best to overturn the biggest democratic result in the history of the country.

“We support you Sir, fully.”

Reform UK, formerly the Brexit Party, was founded in 2018.

Prior to last week’s election, the party had only one MP, Lee Anderson, who defected from the Conservative Party.placeholder image
Prior to last week’s election, the party had only one MP, Lee Anderson, who defected from the Conservative Party.

Reform returned five MPs, including Mr Farage, who was successfully elected for Clacton in his eighth run at the Commons.

Mr Farage also said: “We have no experience in this Parliament whatsoever, even though some of us have tried many times over the years previously.”

The Speaker election marks the first day of the new Parliament, which saw 335 new MPs welcomed to the chamber.