The Speaker of the House of Commons has caused controversy by saying Donald Trump is unfit to address MPs. John Bercow said he would refuse to invite the US president to speak at Westminster because of parliament’s long-held opposition “to racism and to sexism”.
The unprecedented step has been praised by some MPs, but angered others in the government who say he has overstepped the mark. Speaking on BBC Radio 4 Today’s programme, the communities secretary, Sajid Javid, said Bercow ‘doesn’t speak for the government’ on Trump.
What do our readers think? Here is a round-up of a selection of comments on the subject.
Politicians should not be afraid to speak out like this
This unpredictable outburst is childish
He has always shown himself to be unpredictable and prone to outbursts but this one did him no favours. It just looks Childish. Bercow has always been his own biggest fan.
The Speaker showed respect for human values – bravo!
Above all a Speaker should have respect for basic human values, which Bercow demonstrated in spades today.
Bravo!
Trump was democratically elected, you can’t stop him speaking
Bercow should be sacked from trying to prevent a democratically elected President Trump (president of the UK's most important ally the USA ) speaking in parliament.
The Speaker should be neutral and not political
Bercow has to be suspended. This has nothing to do with Trump but all to do with politics.
Bercow has no jurisdiction over decisions made in the house and as speaker must not be engaged in politics or politically motivated points of view.
Bercow can be political, just not party political
Bercow is the Speaker of the House. He has ultimate jurisdiction over almost any matter of process in front of the house. Of course he is politically motivated - he represents the House as a whole and the House is political. What he should not be is party-political.
I don’t see why people are being so critical of Mr Bercow
Did Mr Bercow, in his role as Right Honourable Speaker of the House of Commons not explain the conventions and protocols of our Parliament and his position with regard to his role whilst at the same time conceding that other matters were not for him to decide? The speaker's neutrality is in terms of political parties within the House and did he not address both sides with regard to a matter that is not per se party political? I do not see what he has done that would warrant such criticism as Mr Bercow is receiving from some quarters and I do believe that he may indeed know a thing or two about the functioning of our ancient Parliament and its rules.
Why should we be rushing to host Trump so quickly?
I generally don't have much time for Tories but Clark, Wollastan and Bercow ( I think I am in a minority of tiny dimensions when I say I actually don't think Bercow is a bad speaker ) have gone a long way to reminding me that they are still human..
May already press-ganged the Queen into meeting him faster than any of Obama et al. I don't see why we should be rushing to host Trump so quickly? Do we get some kind of special prize for doing so?
I say that as someone that doesn't like Trump at all but believes he should be given his shot at governing.
I do however think we should wait until the dust settles before we roll out the red carpet. May should focus on dealing with her 'domestics' for now.
This is all becoming a bit undignified.
Bercow shows some in Westminster still have principles
Proud of Bercow tonight. His action is a reminder that some people in Westminster still have principles and they are good ones.
Trump however, what a disgrace. I've just been listening to his latest rant and I cannot believe he has managed to become the President of the USA.
Photograph: UPI/Barcroft Images
There are cleverer ways to handle this
I would have no problem with MPs stating by the dozen that they don't want to give Trump a platform in Westminster. The Lords could join in too, if so minded.
But diplomatic relations with powerful and prickly leaders are not best conducted by the oral equivalent of tweets from an official who is ex officio supposed to speak (literally) for the Commons as a whole. I expect Trump's state department officials are tearing their hair about over his behaviour. The UK Foreign & Commonwealth officials will now be doing so over Bercow. In both cases, this doesn't imply support for Trump. It indicates that there are probably more clever ways to handle the situation.
Interesting applause came from the opposition, not Tories
What's most striking about that Bercow speech is that after he finished all the applause came from the opposition and the SNP. Tory MPs just sat there looking on.
- Comments on this article were opened in error.
I don't see why Speaker Bercow should be accused of grandstanding because he's taken a stand. Very few others have had the courage to do it. It's no good people mumbling in corridors and in the canteen, if they've got something to say, risk the metaphorical blood and bullets and speak out. The trouble with our politicians is they're either afraid of offending the voters or offending each other, and that doesn't lead to them speaking out without fear or favour. Well done to the Speaker.