Some think he overstepped the mark (Picture: Getty Images)

A petition has been launched to get John Bercow sacked as Speaker of the House of Commons.

Last week, Bercow gave an unprecedented speech in which he banned Donald Trump from addressing Parliament.

John Bercow says he will block Donald Trump from speaking in parliament

‘I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism, and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary, are hugely important considerations in the Commons,’ he said.

And whilst many lauded him for his stance, others have since said that he overstepped the mark.


Writing on Change.org, Thomas Johnson said: ‘On 6th February Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow made an inappropriate intervention into UK foreign policy by prohibiting President of the United States Donald Trump from speaking to Parliament in his upcoming visit.

The petition has 8,710 signatures so far (Picture: Change.org)

‘Such a move violates Bercow’s convention on neutrality, which he must upload (sic.) as speaker. Likewise, it poses massive complications for British foreign policy.



‘Therefore, this petition calls for the public to issue a call of no confidence in Bercow, and for him to be relieved of his duties immediately.’

More than 8,710 people had signed the petition at the time of writing.

John Bercow's Trump speech in full What I will say is this. An address by a foreign leader to both Houses of Parliament is not an automatic right. It is an earned honour. Moreover, there are many precedents for state visits to take place to our country which do not include an address to both Houses of Parliament. That’s the first point. In relation to Westminster Hall, there are three key holder to Westminster Hall: the speaker of the House of Commons, the speaker of the House of Lords and the lord great chamberlain. Ordinarily we are able to work by consensus and the hall would be used for a purpose such as an address or another purpose by agreement of the three key holders. I must say to the honourable gentleman, to all who signed his early day motion and to others with strong views about this matter on either side of the argument, that before the imposition of the migrant ban I would myself have been strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall. After the imposition of the migrant ban by President Trump I am even more strongly opposed to an address by President Trump in Westminster Hall. So far as the Royal Gallery is concerned, again I operate on advice, I do not perhaps have as strong a say in that matter. It is in a different part of the building [ie, in the House of Lords], although customarily an invitation to a visiting leader to deliver an address there would be issued in the names of the two speakers. I would not wish to issue an invitation to President Trump to speak in the Royal Gallery. And I concluded by saying to the honourable gentleman this. We value our relationship with the United States. If a state visit takes place, that is way beyond and above the pay grade of the Speaker. However, as far as this place is concerned, I feel very strongly that our opposition to racism and to sexism and our support for equality before the law and an independent judiciary are hugely important considerations in the House of Commons.

Commenting, Simon Ramsay wrote: ‘He broke protocol as his duty as Speaker by not consulting the House of Lords Speaker, to express his own opinion, irrespective of his role, with possible national and international negative impact.

Not everybody is happy with John Bercow saying Donald Trump shouldn’t address Parliament

‘Speaker needs to be impartial and get his guidance from debate rather than letting lose (sic.) with his own opinion.’

Another comment, from Lee Guthrie, was much more pro-Trump: ‘I agree with Trump’s policies especially the travel ban.’

Thousands of people took to the streets in protest last week after it was announced that Trump would be afforded a state visit to the UK, with all the pomp and ceremony that entails.