Will John Bercow finish off Theresa May? Fury at ‘despot’ Speaker as PM’s allies admit her fate could rest in his hands
Commons Speaker John Bercow
Theresa May’s fate could rest in the hands of Speaker John Bercow as Remainer rebels plot to tear up the Commons rule book in order to stop Brexit going ahead.
Mr Bercow could effectively end the Prime Minister’s career if he allows a ‘coup’ bid to go ahead that could see the government stripped of control over business in Parliament.
The move – which No10 believes is being orchestrated by former ministers Oliver Letwin and Dominic Grieve – could happen within hours of Mrs May’s Brexit plan being defeated on Tuesday, as seems inevitable.
Ministers have been warned success for the plotters could make it impossible for the government to cling on.
Experts said the changes, which turn the constitution on its head by giving Parliament the executive’s powers, ‘should not be possible’, but suggested Mr Bercow might let them happen regardless.
Senior government sources said the prospect of Mr Bercow playing such a pivotal role was ‘terrifying’, after he flouted procedure last week to help MPs opposed to Mrs May’s deal.
Brexiteers were even more scathing, with Tory MP Andrew Bridgen saying of Mr Bercow: ‘He is showing himself for the despot he is.’
The high-stakes battle emerged as Mrs May launched another desperate effort to salvage the package she has thrashed out with Brussels.
Mrs May said failing to deliver on the verdict of the referendum would be ‘unforgivable’ and a ‘catastrophe’ for democracy.
At the start of an historic week in Parliament that could make or break Brexit:
