UK Election: Former Speaker Of The House John Bercow On Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak And More

Al Arabiya English brings you in-depth special coverage of the British elections with three episodes of “UK Decides.” Hosted by Rosanna Lockwood, the show covers the general elections with insights from people shaping the future in the UK and around the world. This episode's guests include:
JOHN BERCOW, FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
JOE TWYMAN, POLLSTER
PANEL:
JONATHAN HASLAM, FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF TO PM JOHN MAJOR
GUTO HARRI, FMR DIRECTOR OF COMMS FOR BORIS JOHNSON
ALICIA FITZGERALD, POLITICAL JOURNALIST
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#keirstarmer #generalelection2024 #rishisunak #news

[@pauladdae3130]

"It is only fair to say, which I do in my characteristically understated fashion, that Boris Johnson was, by a country mile, the worst. He was dishonest, unprincipled, narcissistic, demonstrating only a nodding acquaintance with the truth, perhaps, in a leap year, and also, I thought, the most inarticulate Prime Minister that I ever had the misfortune to encounter. Apart from that, he might be alright." - John Bercow (Former Speaker of the House), July 2024. Nuff said!😬 🥶

[@chuxxj]

His construct and erudition of the English language is unmatched

[@uniquevideosUk]

Let's remember how the current speaker behaved to help out his friend Starmer 🙈 Such loyal public figures are these ppl.

[@kubanpanzer]

John Bercow never disappoints. I’m glad to see him starting to be back

[@davidboskett5581]

Those words are so true. But why do 'the poorly educated' fail to see that people like Boris in the UK and Trump in the US are complete idiots and vote them into power

[@MiningForPies]

@@uniquevideosUkthere isn’t a current speaker.

[@madameclark3453]

I miss this dude. ❤️🇺🇸

[@B_Ruphe]

What a pleasure it is to listen to an articulate speaker, whatever the topic.

[@senatorlainez]

American here. I could listen to Bercow speak for hours at a time. Congrats to Labour!

[@albertliu1068]

John Bercow has the last laugh. He will now be called to go to the Lords as Boris blocked that happening back in 2019!

[@johnfallens9319]

How is that going to work when Mr Bercow has been banned from the parliamentary estate for life?

[@matthewsmith908]

John bercow should be in the house of lords as is tradition with the speaker, hopefully labour put him in there

[@domainadmin1216]

Unfortunately Bercow was too honest defending Corbyn…he has few friends in Labour and none in the Tory party.

[@KirkLinnDeGrassi]

Noo make him speaker again

[@reieduardorei]

Not british, but I believe his membership of the party is still suspended due alleged bullying of staff. I don't see him joining the Lords until his membership is restored

[@KirkLinnDeGrassi]

@@reieduardorei still better than then the boring chap that they got after

[@reieduardorei]

@@KirkLinnDeGrassi Agreed

[@seausblue125]

John Bercow's insights, as many may expect, are again spot on. His assessment of the Conservative Party's future is thoughtful - despite the Party's many recent faults, he understands and recognizes the need for a reasonable opposition party in some form in the future (though, at this time, thanks to the past 14 years, it is likely acceptable to let Labour push their most pressing priorities unhindered because the UK public are really suffering). Plus, I also appreciate his assessment of the Reform Party's ability to make a fair amount of noise, but little else. It seems a pity that the most thoughtful and reflective politician in the UK today is not currently active in any way in government.

[@duncanstewart6381]

Order! He stands tall in history as Speaker, wonderful good natured fellow.

[@Justsam2468]

He's a bully and vile man

[@Crafty_Chops]

I loved watching John Bercow as Speaker during the PMQ's. Very articulate and smart., and I think he commanded respect from all in the House of Commons.

[@nigelmansfield3011]

John Bercow is a genius. He is needed in the Lords 😀

[@GX_Manta]

other than the fact he was discovered to be a bully and generally not nice chap, especially to those he worked with and those underneath him?

[@josefschiltz2192]

@@GX_Manta Some find his type of clarity to be challenging. I can certainly see that he would find any vagary or ineptitude to be aggravating and that can be misread. He had shown that as Speaker.

[@uniquevideosUk]

Lords needs to go! it wasting public money that doesn't need wasting.

[@uniquevideosUk]

​​​@@GX_Manta He is a bully! Probably why alot of left leaning liberals like him.

[@uniquevideosUk]

​​​@@josefschiltz2192 He's basically just another well paid part of the system! Wouldn't it be amazing if the working class wasn't paid as little as £20.000 a year.

[@bangadennis5515]

I am a Kenyan who loves John Bercow with a passion. He is the personification of an ideal man.

[@akirasuzuki8378]

Brutal takedown of Boris Johnson. Bercow is a genius.

[@kevanbodsworth9868]

But very alarming is the fact , a large percentage of the UK public find B Johnson a fine fellow and what we nead to lead our nation .. That is a mark of our decline ,

[@zazaz44]

Bercow is an excellent fellow.

[@abenaid11]

Hear hear.

[@learnenglishwithtreesongte5915]

Brilliant in the traitors tv show

[@thecomebackking737]

Didn’t he try to stop leaving the EU? Now I’m not pro or against leaving however I remember he trying to change the vote that’s why he left.

[@domainadmin1216]

Well done having Bercow on. An intelligent and honest broker, which ultimately cost him dearly…miss him in Parliament!

[@Justsam2468]

You left out the fact he's a bully

[@kville5796]

​@Justsam2468 Passionate! I wouldn't use the word"bully."

[@electorofsaxony7646]

I love John Bercow! ORDER, ORDER 😂😂

[@howzitnow48]

Legendary

[@coolanay]

You mean odour odour

[@mup_pet]

I quite liked the guy, until it was revealed that he was a serial bully by the standards watchdog.

[@passmybongback]

Bully, bully.

[@uniquevideosUk]

He was a bully! Saying that, it's normally the left leaning bullies that support him.

[@R8V10]

Bercow the walking thesaurus.

[@AnitaMarnell]

John Bercow, what a legend. The House of Commons has never been the same without him

[@kljmaq]

He's only a "legend" in your head.

[@kerenode3205]

John Bercow is very honest.

[@moniquehuchet3646]

Love to listen to John Bercow, he makes me enjoy the English language. I would be more proficient today if he had been my teacher

[@kville5796]

@moniquehuchet3646 Also, Rory Stewart. Both men are walking encyclopedias.

[@shadownet_nft]

Excellent interview with one of our last true big beasts, there aren't many left.

[@FinnBrauer-wx6mc]

Can I ask I simple question, Sinn Fein won 7 seats in the Commons, I know they don't take their seats but why is this not reflected in the poll at the start?

[@johnmckiernan2176]

The phrase "John Bull's Other Island" comes to mind. Note, also, that Plaid Cymru won 4 seats, as did the Greens, yet every media outlet ever - including this one, with their graph - is insistent on giving airtime and breathing space to that tinpot Moseley called Nigel Farage. If they weren't so indulgent to him, the non-entity would disappear. Disgraceful.

[@John-gr5tx]

I have a lot of time for bercow, he is a fair minded intellectual. How he every got into parliament ?

[@passmybongback]

Bullied his way

[@Lauralondon24]

Fantastic coverage of the General Election.

[@guydreamr]

ORDAH! John Bercow is in the house.

[@theaussiewhinger]

Bercow is a legend. Rosanna is dreamy.

[@rrickarr]

A very intelligent and well-presented interview. Thank you Mr. Speaker. You are absolutely correct about how Nigel Farage will attempt to behave and I think Labour needs to match Nigel point for point and show the people what an obnoxious liar Nigel really is.

[@andrewcooney2387]

Let's hope bercow will be in the house of Lords very soon It would be a final slap in the face to Johnson and and his scumbags

[@johnfallens9319]

​@@andrewcooney2387 Not possible. Mr Bercow has been banned from the parliamentary estate for life.

[@RandomWandrer]

Or completely ignore him.

[@electorofsaxony7646]

I hope labour put him in the lords

[@willhovell9019]

JB for the Lord's.

[@uniquevideosUk]

No thanks

[@nominouman6811]

‘’Apart from that he is alright’🤔

[@sbose64]

getting to hear mr bercow for a full 45 minutes interview is a precious prize.

[@hughiedavies6069]

Thank god Farage won't have much of an impact, because he's just a soccer hooligan in a suit

[@jaxcoss5790]

'football'. Tut!!

[@josefschiltz2192]

@@jaxcoss5790 Well, there's a degree of entertainment if dogs are playing it.

[@frusia123]

👏👏👏

[@uniquevideosUk]

I'm a normal woman from a council estate up bringing and we've had to watch actors playing childish games in a so called democracy regards Nigel & it's all coming out now! The problem isn't the so called right, it's the ppl like you perfectic, who can't respect democracy. Stop lying aswell, he got a better vote percentage then the LibDems, I mean do you even understand the UK political system? Seems not by your comment.

[@uniquevideosUk]

​@@jaxcoss5790 What's up with football? Pays ppl good salaries that often come from little.

[@cairnv]

MISSED YOU SO MUCH @Roolockwood! Hurray to finding you again - and brilliant as always! :-D xxx

[@nyo1026]

Well learnt man. His command of the English language is great.

[@gamewithadam7235]

Weird how they defend Boris Johnson. Dude literally went on holiday lol. Would have been better to talk about Jeremy Corbyn.

[@John-gr5tx]

As bercow says. There has to be a will amongst all the parts of the political machine. The government is long on resources but very short on the will to use them for positive social change. It is not your mp or councilor can't do this or that it is just that they dont want to!

[@ingridglerum8017]

Brilliant - thx to Roxanna & John Bercow!

[@dorisjohnson3244]

Good to see you again. You look fresher and younger sir.

[@timothyfreeseha4056]

Its that tone that starts with promises and ends with apologies that is all too easily digested by a country full of people who should credit themselves from knowing better. Perhaps the public should consider their part in all this?

[@akinsankofa]

17:17 a masterful critque and analysis of that Boris Johnson

[@jamesbomd3503]

This woman on talk radio presents in Piers Morgan's programme a few months back

[@CityOfTinyLines]

shes nice

[@dh1380]

Very noice

[@scottbuckingham5626]

Interesting

[@howzitnow48]

Didnt expect to see Rosanna Lockwood here, she was great on Piers Morgan

[@bobmason1361]

This chap should be the Labour Party Leader.

[@cavalierdecoupe]

Sunak just wanted out of the mess.

[@jaxcoss5790]

I think you maybe right.

[@Adamtendo_player_1]

Yeah, the mess he created.

[@ElenkaT1957]

@@jaxcoss5790 thought the same; it's fun when it goes your way but when it doesn't even the power of the office becomes a burden and a bore especially if you don't need the paycheck. Sunak was having a great time until he wasn't and then yes he wanted out of the mess

[@akinsankofa]

the batsman that decides that he is fed up of taking fast balls from ambrose, walsh, Marshall, Lillee, garner, and leaves the nets

[@airingcupboard]

Haha well done John.

[@anthonymullen6300]

They, who even they are, really tried to destroy this fellows reputation and character.

[@softfocus87]

Remember remember the people that they are put in place to represent are the people.

[@TimWesson]

We see the subtle bias in coverage from an oil state when there is not even a mention of the Green party.

[@Rodinov_Claw]

Rosanna sounded so happy to announce the win of the Labour.

[@grahamtrave1709]

He is a great loss to our democratic process. He stood up to Boris Johnston and paid a huge price. Hopefully he will be elevated to the Lords where his experience would be of great use.

[@juliahartshorn2473]

Why is John Bercow not more ative in UK Politics - i think he would be a good voice in Parliament?

[@philipritson8821]

Is that Union Flag behind the presenter upside down? I guess it depends on whether the flag pole is supposed to be on the left or the right.

[@plodd55]

HE LOOK ITS THE ORDER ORDER GUY

[@stephenkerensky710]

The longer the Tories waited to call the election, the heavier the defeat would have been.

[@kville5796]

Agreed!

[@chrisharrison763]

He loves the sound of his own voice doesn't he?

[@salmagaryjohnson2213]

Yes Conservative HQ .... Please bring back Boris. Let's give Labour 15 years in government please

[@stephenpetermay1721]

Of course Wykehamist Sunack would be gracious in defeat. "Manners maketh man"

[@dora59]

I often try to follow British politics because American politics are horrifying. I loved this guy as speaker. Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrder

[@MorgorDre]

Ordaaaaaaaa!

[@Iazzaboyce]

Glad to see John is recovered after falling off a step ladder picking gooseberries.

[@joprocter4573]

Leave bercow in the style

[@yusuphmligiliche8353]

Sunak doesn't have the knack to rule Bercow? He only lost after 14 years of colleagues errors, if you they didn't give it to Truss first, the whooping wouldn't be this bad.

[@user-lf2vs5st1t]

ORDER!

[@szabados1980]

2:18 Why is the British flag flown upside down in this video?

[@jillhargrave-george4510]

It's a distress signal!

[@ppetal1]

You are assuming it is hanging on the left as we look on. This might not be the case.

[@davehopkin9502]

Farages register of members interest should be interest....

[@kh3777]

But the EU will not accept any cakeism.from whoever is the British PM, period!

[@grus599]

Rishi turned the economy around in such a short period of time. He is not a great speaker, but do- er. Let's see what Labour will do with our country, looking at the new cabinet I am losing any hope. Maybe John Bercow would change his recent party again.

[@justinehayward2553]

Whoops, flag upside down.

[@Mary-gt4kg]

That is because the view is at the flying end, not fixed at the pole end where the white band is wider.

[@justinehayward2553]

I think you are correct there. That said, the presentation is a tad ambiguous.

[@sahrsahr-yx6vc]

OK Google hello olive garden

[@liamb8644]

Did he talk in that autistic way when he was bullying his staff?

[@John-gr5tx]

Bercow tells the truth. How could sunak get it that bad. He figuratively shot himself in both feet then walked out on stage. He must have been given bad advice from the opposition, like the BBC for example. Who have been campaining for starmer for years.😂.

[@theophilusladapo3829]

The election landslide does Not mean the British people fell in love with Labour. They unfortunately wanted to oust the British Asian in No 10 Downing Street. It was unfortunately a racist overreaction rather than an ideological revolution.

[@seniorslaphead8336]

As if it couldn't get any worse someone gives this has-been pipsqueak airtime... 🤣

[@user-qk1kx1do7n]

When will Saudi have an election.

[@fudgerace4356]

When will UK hv free education, zero income tax, no interest loan for house, monthly allowance for students ??

[@shacklock01]

Even Iran has a majiles. Democracy now bin Sauds

[@neillaw]

39:20 thought this guy would be smarter than this... The Lib dems winning the seats doesn't fully account for the reason of the Conservative loss. It's FPTP, if you split the right vote then Lib Dem cross the finish line 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️ He's deluded 😂

[@Dana-ml7sy]

Labour won by default. The Tory’s lost. Reform really won as they had the most new votes. Disgusted they won’t have the seats they deserve due to not having Proportional Representation.

[@crolla1234]

It's more of the same. Sad. This man is a professional lier.

[@purple467]

"They have got an extraordinardy amount of seats." Brilliant grammar, Ms Lockwood

[@TheLucanicLord]

There are considerably less countable noun pedants than there used to be 😉

[@purple467]

@@TheLucanicLord : oh yes. And less people who understand them anyway, since a great amount of schools don't teach them. Doesn't you agree?

[@purple467]

@@TheLucanicLord : excuse me for correcting you, it should be "there is considerably less....."

[@EnyawYorlig]

Starmergeddon is here.

[@guydreamr]

Nowhere to go but up.

[@MikeJones__Who]

Oorrrdddeeeeerrrrrr

[@KobbeRJacc]

Oordaa....Orda! 😂

[@karenpreston5326]

Very rude to call Mr Farage mad politics when Reforms party received so many overall votes Watch this space the next election

[@sahrsahr-yx6vc]

Murphy hot Yahoo mail mada Allah what happened how much is a good morning

[@granand]

Well Rwanda plan cancelled. Migrants 1 UK 0 ..day 1

[@sahrsahr-yx6vc]

Walla India lucky yeah Anna's call the world media weather the Manzanilla a map of lake I love hawa honest easy to be here seeing a lot of cool are there any alarms armadillo

[@ErdenTeoman]

This man is a disgrace

[@catharinecarrington2705]

Bournemouth Baker the Houses of Parliament the former speaker John Bercow the new prime minister is Keir starmer in the New Inn 10 Daly Street Keir starmer Angela Rayner next prime minister will be a woman

[@jaxcoss5790]

Where's Daly Street?

[@kville5796]

​@@jaxcoss5790😊

[@scrutanise]

When the Lord allowed the things which he could not violate his honesty and just are the things, people could not resist. Why?because they can't stop the punishment. You will be punished for your betrayal of Christ.

[@purple467]

Oooooh......spooky

[@justaguy7083]

Let’s just hope we don’t get another crackpot speaker John Bercow.

[@ibana8449]

Disappeared from self appointed stardom in the UK under a cloud of nasty sounding allegations from men and women who worked for him, Pretty sure he is the only speaker of the house who wasn't recommended into the upper house of Lords. A pleasure Al Arabiya has taken him onboard, He is at best an after dinner speaker of dubious personal integrity. His nasty toxic loud mouth is something I will not miss in Westminster. Not a very nice man in any sense. Obnoxious

[@DarkCreed]

Labour can now put him there

[@jandavies4400]

Think himself something, but he’s not he was the cause of all the problems

[@mup_pet]

34:38 - Johnson was a charismatic personality, and we all miss that. I'm so sick and tired of hearing this nonsense from the pundits. I find it insulting. Unless I'm gravely mistaken, most people are not that shallow and stupid, and just want a responsible government to quietly get on the job of trying to improve the quality of people's lives.

[@roseanncampbell3168]

Most people who voted for bojo wanted him for entertainment. That's. It what leaders are for. If you want chrisma go to the Oscars or golden globe awards. Bono made the UK look totally stupid and a joke. So yes, his supporters are stupid and shallow if that's all they saw in him because they are not bright enough to spot a rouge under all that 'chrisma' 🙄

[@kenstevens5065]

Saudi, if this man had anything to do with you he would be behind bars. He was a disgrace acting as Speaker in Parliament after the British people voted to leave the European Union.

[@positiveandstrong]

Utter rubbish

[@jasongray4517]

Bully boy Bercow.

[@scrutanise]

The problem is that labour is not Christian. But everything else.

[@geofdownton782]

Wot?

[@The.Scum.Z]

This is a common spectacle ,when you are childless you look at neighbour childrens chuld games as some kind of nonsense

[@stevelimey]

Pompous little runt

[@jaxcoss5790]

You're right, Rishi's terrible.

[@madameclark3453]

@@jaxcoss5790😂

[@jandavies4400]

Think himself something, but he’s not he was the cause of all the problems