House of Commons Speaker John Bercow on Monday announced his resignation.

Bercow said he would go by October 31, the planned date of the UK's exit from the European Union.

He committed to remaining "the backbenchers' backstop" in the meantime.

Bercow announced his resignation after the Conservatives moved to break convention by standing against him at the next general election.

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The House of Commons Speaker John Bercow on Monday announced his decision to stand down before the next general election.

In an emotional speech, Bercow told members of Parliament that he would resign immediately if they voted on Monday evening for an early general election, or on the date of Britain's planned exit from the European Union, October 31, if they did not.

"At the 2017 election, I promised my wife and children that it would be my last," he said.

"This is a pledge that I intend to keep. If the House votes tonight for an early general election, my tenure as speaker and MP will end when this Parliament ends.

"If the House does not so vote, I have concluded that the least disruptive and most democratic course of action would be for me to stand down at the close of business on Thursday, October 31."

WATCH: Speaker Bercow's greatest moments

Read more: Boris Johnson could soon be forced to resign as prime minister and make way for Jeremy Corbyn

Bercow announced his plan after Conservatives confirmed that they would stand against him at the general election.

By convention, the speaker is normally not challenged in elections.

However, Bercow has become a target for Boris Johnson's government after repeatedly intervening in favour of moves by opposition members of Parliament who wish to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

Watch Bercow's emotional resignation speech:

Bercow told MPs he would continue to act as "the backbenchers' backstop" before he stands down.

Johnson has moved to suspend Parliament starting Monday evening for the longest period in the modern era, in what opponents have dubbed an "undemocratic" move by the government.

Before the suspension, MPs will vote on whether to grant the prime minister's request for a general election on October 15.

Opposition parties agreed last week that they would refuse the request, meaning Bercow is set to remain as speaker until the end of October.

Bercow received praise for his time as speaker from across the House.

"This Parliament is the stronger for your being speaker, our democracy is the stronger for your being the speaker, and whatever you do when you finally step down from Parliament, you do so with the thanks of a very large number of people," Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour Party leader, told him.

Michael Gove, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, endorsed Corbyn's comments.

"It's been clear to everyone who has seen you work as a diligent constituency MP, as an effective backbencher, and also as a tenacious frontbencher in your time that you love this House of Commons, you love our democracy, and your commitment to your principles and to your constituents is unwavering and an example to others," he said.

He added: "However controversial the role of backstop may be in other areas, your role as the backbenchers' backstop has certainly been one that's been appreciated by individuals across this House."