When I first started out in politics I was, what you might describe as, a hard right Conservative. John Bercow More Quotes by John Bercow More Quotes From John Bercow Fairness is not about statistical equality. John Bercow fairness-and-equality fairness For far too long the House of Commons has been run as little more than a private club by and for gentleman amateurs. John Bercow house running long A legislature cannot be effective while suffering from public scorn. John Bercow scorn legislature suffering It's a cowardly form of politics to use my spouse to beat me. John Bercow beats form use I pride myself on being courteous to people, and trying to fashion good relations. John Bercow fashion pride people The Conservatives must realise that being sceptical is different from being phobic in what is an interdependent world. John Bercow realising different world If someone is being very cheeky, it can be quite fun to deal with that situation. John Bercow cheeky situation fun I've never been much given to little social cliques. John Bercow clique social littles I think the record shows that as Speaker, I have taken the lead in cleaning up politics. John Bercow records taken thinking I am seeking every day to restore faith in Parliament - to ensure we have a House of Commons which is representative, effective and reconnected to the people we serve. John Bercow parliament house people I never aspired to be Speaker simply so I could say, 'I am the Speaker of the House of Commons,' and tell my children that. John Bercow speakers house children I don't want to crawl over the entrails of past disputes. John Bercow disputes want past There are people who are just very, very sniffy and snobby and have always sort of looked down their noses at me. John Bercow snobby noses people There's no point in worrying about things you can't influence. John Bercow no-point influence worry One consistent thing in an otherwise inconsistent career is that I've always been passionate about parliament. John Bercow parliament passionate careers Lying to a committee is a very grave abuse, and there ought to be a clear punishment. John Bercow punishment abuse lying Even youngish men can acquire wisdom as time goes by. John Bercow time-goes-by acquire men If you asked me if I'd rather be Speaker or a very senior minister, I'd say Speaker. John Bercow ministers senior ifs I'm supremely uninterested as to what is written in many of the newspapers. John Bercow uninterested written newspapers It is quite wrong for party conferences to be used as an excuse for the Commons not to sit. Conferences could be held at weekends. John Bercow weekend excuse party
