Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP Speaker?s House House of Commons London SW1A 0AA 12"h September 2015 Dear John, I have followed politics all my life but now that I am retired I spend more time watching Parliamentary business on television. I think the televising of debates and the work of Select Committees enhances our democracy, giving the public greater access and insight into the issues which are being considered at Westminster and engaging us all a little bit more in the political process. On the other hand it also eXposes the behaviour of individual Parliamentarians to greater public scrutiny. While I recognise that politics are as much about passion as they are about ideas and policies and while I recognise that the House of Commons is a special place I and many others feel bewildered at the failure of the Speaker and the senior members of the House to ensure that all debates are conducted in a sober and responsible fashion. Speaking personally, those debates in the Commons which I ?nd easiest to follow - and most useful in terms of being able to compare and constrast opposing contributions of MPs - are usually those held when the House is only thinly attended. By way of contrast, those which are hardest to follow are the high pro?le debates such as on the budget or at PMQs, when the House is full and almost every contribution is accompanied by barracking and heckling and other forms of noisy interruption. While this behaviour does not technically infringe Parliamentary protocol, it is in practice contemptuous of the Parliamentary process, designed as it often is to prevent MPs from being properly heard. In virtually no other setting in today?s society where citizens come together to discuss serious matters of policy, would such behaviour be tolerated; certainly not in the workplace, in clubs and societies and so on. And yet so accustomed have we Parliament watchers become to hearing the speakers? cry of ?Order! Order!? that we tolerate this mayhem as something which must not only be accepted and but as a feature of the Commons that cannot be queried or changed. What a contrast to the House of Lords where contributions to debates are so sober and measured - almost the point sometimes that they risk being open to the equal and opposite accusation that they lack any element of passmn. That said however I do feel, as do millions of others I suspect, that heckling and noisy interuptions in the Commons should be outlawed and that those who continue to engage in this practice should, if appropriate, be susPended. The House of Commons is a workplace where representatives of the people are supposed to work in a professional and serious manner to carry out their ?mctions on behalf of the elect0rate who send them there. I feel strongly that it is your role, together with our deputies as Speakers, to insist on a radical change in standards of behaviour so that these align with those that citizens expect to be followed in any other place of work. I know this issue continues to be raised with you by many others. Nevertheless I would very much welcome your reactions to the points I have raised. Yours sincerely, From: Sent: 15 September 2015 14:51 To: BERCOW, John Subject: Prime Minister Questions Dear Mr Bercow PMQs May I make a small suggestion for the improvement of PMQs which I despair of like many others. The format is being discussed again with Mr Corbyn's new role. My complaint is that the PM often fails to answer the question put to him. An easy improvement would be that questioners should be given the last word. regards Begin forwarded message: Date: 1 Septem er 2015 19:32:46 BST To: Subject: Parliament - PM Questions. REFORM BY YOU Dear Mr. Speaker, Please would you use your Powerful Position to effect immediate and professional Change to PM Questions:? Namely When a Question is asked (Of either side) if the answer being given is not but some spin or a list of political point scoring or some other irrelevant burb STOP THE PERSON IMMEDIATELY - EITHER SIDE PM 0R WHOEVER AND INSTRUCT HIM HER TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ACTUALLY AND KEEP STOPPING Till A RELEVANT ANSWER IS ACTUALY BEING GIVENII You have the power and technically if not WELL Create the Power Take It and JUST START TO DO IT STOP THE VERBAL It may cause a ruckus and be frustrating the first few times BUT THEY WILL SOON LEARN TO ACTUALLYANSWER A The behavior and ducking and diving of important questions would not be tolerated in the Private Sector and should not be allowed to continue in Parliament. IT IS NOT PROFESSIONAL AND SHOULD BE STAMPED OUT PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO IMPROVE PM QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW FIRMLY BELIEVE YOU ARE IN A POSITIONTO DO THIS - CREATE HISTORY AND A RELEVANT PM QUESTIONS - THE COUNTRY AND MEDIA WILL BE BEHIND YOU Many Thanks Fr?m=_ Sent: eptem er 1510:06 To: BERCOW, John Subject: PM's Questions If Questions remains as civilised as it was yesterday I will start watching again. If it becomes wild again, I will not! Do all you can to keep it reasonable. est wishes From: Sent: 14 October 2015 17:13 To: BERCOW, John Subject: PMQ Sir. Would you please explain why, in PMQs, the SMP, one of the smallest parties, always have the opportunity to ask questions. Up to this week, this has been a single question but this weelf they had 4 questions with the leader even having the chance to ask a second time. What IS 90an on? Yours truly.? From: Sent: 15 October 2015 13:00 To: Speaker's Office Subject: PMQs Dear John I am a big fan of how you keep the MP5 on their toes and keep order with your gentle rebukes! But I am puzzled by PMQs whilst I acknowledge the various of the parliamentary parties clearly sways the way the questions are ordered and allocated at PMQs, have noticed often that three parties that obtained over nine million votes between them Lib Dems, Greens and UKIP rarely get called to have a question put to the Prime Minister. Could you explain this? Kind regards From: Sent: 15 October 2015 14:56 To: Speaker's Office Subject: Thank you, for being who you are and doing what you do Hi John, I watched PMQs for the first time (in a long time) yesterday and I saw (first hand) your skills (as speaker in the House of Commons) in action. We are living in turbulent times and I (for one) am glad you are at the helm. You remind me a little of the main character (worth looking him up in the archives if you get the chance) in an old television series called Dixon of Dock Green. I hope you don't mind me saying so and please don't worry about a response. My only intention in sending this email, is to say thank you and to offer you some encouragement to keep going. We need that voice of reason and your sense of humour (when appropriate) to keep us going! Best regards, Sent from my iPad From Sent: 16 September 2015 13:33 To: HC Info Subject: PMQ's The format adopted today by the Leader of the Opposition was different, in some ways refreshing, although not in my view acceptable on a permanent basis. Please advise if the Speaker is minded to allow this to continue at subsequent Regards, From: Sent: 20 October 2015 16:02 To: Speaker's Office Subject: PMQs Dear Mr. Bercow, As regular watchers of PMQs, and with a great interest in national politics, we would like to make some points on the recently developed format, following the election of the new Leader of the Opposition. Whilst it may be argued that the session is now far less adversarial, Mr. Corbyn's reading of questions, allegedly submitted by members of the public, seems to do little to enhance the status of the House or, indeed, his own role in national Government. Such an approach requires no particular political skill; militates against any proper forensic examination of issues; and, perhaps more importantly, seems to disenfranchise the constituency Members of Parliament whose job includes representing constituents' concerns. A further issue is the excessive amount of time each 'question' now takes. Much of the individual case study detail adds nothing to the debate, particularly since it is unsubstantiated and protected by partial anonymity. It therefore seems better dealt with at constituency surgeries or local Council meetings. What is more, such detail has the undesirable impact of reducing the time for other Members of the House to represent their own and their constituents' concerns. That cannot be democratic or fair. The public has this one opportunity each week to learn more about both Government and Opposition policies. At your appointment, you personally declared that you wished to increase interest in Politics and the work of Government. The recently adopted format does not serve that purpose. We hope, therefore, that you will impose a stricter discipline by: lnsisting questions are not prefaced by an unnecessary anecdotal preamble Reminding Mr. Corbyn that members ofthe public have constituency MPs elected to raise and address their individual concerns Asking how details ofany individual's claims have been independently substantiated Reminding the House that PMQs is meant to serve the interests of as wide a group of MPs and the public as possible, in the time available. You have attempted to speed up business in the House, for the benefit ofall. We hope you will continue to make that a priority by addressing the concerns we have raised. From: Sent: 21 October 2015 12:58 To: Speaker?s Office Subject: Primeinister's Questions Mr Speaker, Of late I've recently become very impressed with the new form PMQs has been taking. After years of myself, and many people feeling we were inadequately represented by The Leader of the Opposition, The Primeinister genuinely having to respond to the real insecurities people have in this country is something, I believe, that needed to be addressed. I don't however understand why the Primeinister is always asked a question allowing him to gloat immediately after (or before), often from a member of his own party. I don't believe this best serves the interest of the British people who face many insecurities today, and need a PM who is adequately held to account. Many Thanks for the work you do in serving our country and your commitment to the enhancing of our democracy, which has been a long time coming, Best, Sent: 0 er To: BERCOW, John Subject: PMQT Mr Speaker, It may be that what I am going to send you was noted by you or missed. However I noticed that during PMQT today after a question was put to the Prime Minister that as he was answering the question an MP who seemed to be in the SNP group of MPs made what I thought was an obscene gesture or it could be taken that way. I do not know who he was. The gesture was that he seemed to poi9nt his ?nger straight upwards and either held it there for what seemed some time. Twice, I think he was screened doing this, hence my saying it seemed for some time. The incident seemed to me to be rude towards the Prime Minister. As I have said I may be mistaken about this and if so I offer my apologies to you and the person concerned as well as to the House of Commons. The incident can probably be seen in a replay of PMQT. Yours sincerely inal Messa Sent: cto er 2015 01:24 To: BERCOW, John Subject: DearJohn Bercow MP I wondered if I could share a suggestion with your team. Changes to the Parliamentary process appear a murky subject to me, not least because I, nor any of the hard working people that I know, heard any mention of the so called "public" referendum that took place in 2011 on the voting system used to elect MP5. I would, nonetheless, like to make this point: Prime Ministers Questions, to me, looks like a piece of cake for David Cameron. He appears on occasion to skim over particular questions without providing an answer with any real meaning. Can I suggest that the House Speaker facilitates some kind of back and forth between the PM and the opposition, on EACH issue? Thus not forcing the opposition to waste their precious six questions in attempting to do so. The PM would be held more accountable as would the opposition, and I honestly feel the country would be better served for it. This kind of process happens all over the British judiciary system so why is it not happening at the Parliamentary despatch box? Thank you for your time. From: Sent: 26 October 2015 21:33 To: Speaker's Office Subject: Ego Dear Mr Bercow Having watched PMQs regularly since I retired you certainly live up to being a speaker. I know what most MPs think of your pomposity but I find your verbosity and rants very grating. Clearly you like the sound of your own voice but do you really need to use your position to mollify those who express their disapproval? I doubt I am alone among the public. From: Sent: 28 October 2015 22:15 To: BERCOW, John; Speaker's Office Subject: FAO Speakers office Hi John I hope all is well and you're enjoying the wind up to the christmas season (who doesn't). l'm a British Citizen living overseas, the US specifically. l'm 35, grew up in Hertfordshire but spent a reasonable amount of time in your constituency, I've never had a desire to enter politics although I have always felt engaged and a part of the process. I try my best to stay on top of things in the UK through online media such as Channel 4 who upload PMQs to their Youtube channel. This last week you stopped the house in order to remind them that; "Members have the right, when speaking, to be heard without unendurable background noise It was a wonderful moment and one that prompted me to write to you. The US is filled with many horrible aspects of politics but one that is starkly different than the UK is the respect given in the house to whomever is speaking. Listening to PMQs from a distance is actually embarrassing and, as the speaker of the house I wonder whether you have a desire to change that. I can imagine that you become immune to it over time but a tradition existing has never been a good reason to continue it. The shouting, crowing and jeering sound like a playground rather than the home of democracy. My question to you, and your office. What if the House of Commons didn't sound like a playground? How would that change your experience and the experience of the people who are being represented there? And, if our politicans have any desire to be role models for society, what is the best we can hope for in British society when our politicans shout, jeer and bully each other in the way that they do today? Sent: 8 Octo er 2015 16:45 To: Speaker?s Office Subject: PMQs I watched PMQs today and it was an absolute disgrace. I am ashamed to call myself British. Can you please, please control members of the house more effectively. It is not a place for shouting and heckling. Regards, inal Messa From: Sent: 28 October 2015 23:05 To: BERCOW, John Subject: Today's PMQS Dear Mr. Bercow, Watching PMQs today was excruciatingly painful. MPs need to respect those asking questions. Current conduct is unprofessional, childish and cringeworthy. Politicians should be acting as role models for our society and set examples of British values, courtesy being a good start. The leader of the opposition was elected by well over a majority of his party. He is there representing a large portion of the population wether or not every MP in the chamber agrees with his views. Challenging questions to the prime minister are essential for our democracy, and yet Mr. Corbyn seems unable to ask a question without being interrupted. It's shameful. I hope you manage to find a way to make PMQs more engaging for the general public. Yours inal Messa From: Sent: ovem er To: BERCOW, John Subject: PMQ's Watching today's session I was quite disgusted at the braving that seem to still go on in the back ground. I thought that this was being fazed out. Those responsible should be embarrassed at their actions. i want to hear reasoned argument not the behaviour that would not be amiss at a football match. Don't know what a visitor to this country would make of it. Sent from my iPad From? Sent: 04 Novem er 2015 12:39 To: BERCOW, John Subject: Prime Ministers Questions Dear Mr.Burcow, have just watched Prime Ministers Question, Wednesday 4th November, again I am appalled at the antics of the M.Ps. particularly those on the Government side of the House. In my opinion and many more people I speak to, the Prime Minister is a disgrace. He is there as I understand and I am sure you will correct me if I am incorrect, is to answer questions from the Leader of the Opposition. Time after time after there is evasion and after every question it is a party political speech. I is wonder the people of this country are put of politics, is there nothing you can do on behalf of the electorate. Kind regards, From: Sent: 04 November 2015 13:13 To: BERCOW, John Subject: PMQs Dear Mr Bercow, what is this sham democracy we have, where the clear tactic of the government of the day is to allow its MPs to shout and bawl in order to drown out questions from the Leader of the Opposition? It isn't clever it is thuggish bullying. I am ashamed and appalled. With regards, inal From Sent: 04 November 2015 13:11 To: BERCOW, John Subject: Naming and shaming noisy MPs at PMQs DearJohn Bercow, Week on week the Prime Ministers Questions session is completely ruined by the barrage of background noise generated by sitting MPs who are not stood up asking questions. Perhaps the words amongst the heckling are understandable from your position in the House of Commons but on the TV broadcast it is just an infuriating wall of noise. When football clubs do not make adequate attempts to control their misbehaving fans, European football matches are sometimes be played behind closed doors. Taking inspiration from that, here are three suggestions I have for you, to bring the PMQs session into order: 1. Ban all MP5 from sitting in the House of Commons during the PMQs session. Instead, have the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition alone at the despatch box, "behind closed doors" whilst being broadcast on TV. 2. Ban individual MPs who cannot control themselves. One yellow card for shouting when not asking a question, and two yellow cards results in a 10 PMQ session ban. 3. Name and shame shouty MPs during PMQs. As a TV viewer, it is very difficult to see who is doing to shouting, and I would certainly like to know who the perpetrators are. So solve that problem, every time you spot an MP shouting you could interrupt the session and name and shame the MP at fault, for the purposes of clarity for the TV broadcast. It wouldn't matter if you did this 20 times per PMQ session in the first instance, they'd soon collectively get the message, and shut up. But please, do something. It's unbearable. ovem er 151 :54 To: BERCOW, John Subject: PMQ's Dear Sir I have greatly admired your conduct as Speaker since your appointment. Your determination to uphold the rights and interests of backbencher has been excellent. However, I was appalled by today's performance of MP's in PMQ's. In particular, it seemed that the Tory backbenche rs had adopted barracking of Mr Corbyn as a tactic to be deployed every time he rose to his feet and regardless of what he was saying. I am sorry to say that I think you tolerated this on too many occasions and that the barrackers seemed to be encouraged in the absence of your intervention. Mr Corbyn stood in silence each time and you seemed to be absent when this happened on every single occasion bar one. PMQ's too often is a farce but if your chastisement is dismissed as just part of the game or if you are content to sit on your hands when this Ioutish childish behaviour occurs then surely it demeans your Office which would be a great shame. I respectfully ask that you make stronger and quicker interventions else the whole process will simply become an utterly futile waste of time. Yours sincerely Sent from my iPhone From;? Sent: 4 Novem er 2015 16:25 To: BERCOW, John Subject: FAO Speaker?s Office Dear Mr Bercow I often find myself congratulating your ability to control the but not today. During PMQs I was most disappointed to see how much free-reign you allowed the Tory MPs in jeering Mr Corbyn and his questions, while putting a stop to any jeering from the other side during other MP's questions. There is clearly some bias at work here; kindly play both sides equally. Yours Fm Sent: ovem er 015 22:00 To: Speaker's Office Subject: PMQ 4/11/15 Can I ask if Mr Bercow's hearing is intact? Because the sound of hecklers of Mr Corbyn was deafening today. Members of the public who exercised their right to vote in 2015 have the right to listen to all pints of view in Parliament. Unfortunately on Wednesday we heard more of Mr Cameron clearli than we did Mr Corbyn. Can you promise to calm the noise in future at the earliest opportunity Sent from my iPhone From: Sent: 05 November 2015 01:11 To: Speaker's Office Subject: Scottish questions and PMQs Sir I watched Scottish Questions and Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday 4/11/2015. I consider that both these events were a complete disgrace. The bellowing and braying that continued throughout was utterly appalling. The objectives of some members seems to be to cause as much disruption to the proceedings as they can. At at these events they gather with glee in numbers to achieve a wreckage. Pity they were not so keen to attend some of the other debates There seemed to be few questions that were asked without yelling and heckling going on as a background accompaniment. Some of those asking questions had to repeatedly stop to be heard, only to face renewed barrage when they commenced again. You Sir, are responsible for keeping order in the Commons. I think you need to be more aware that such a farce is being broadcast to the country and the world. It is showing "The Mother of Parliaments" to be akin to Bedlam, a lunatic asylum. I respectfully suggest that it time assert your control over the member's, to sort it out, put an end to such bad behaviour as soon as it starts. Respectfully yours 5/11/2015 Fr?m= Sent: 5 November 2015 02:28 To: Speaker's Office; BERCOW, John Subject: Erskine May Parliamentary Practice Dear Mr Bercow, Today I watched PMQ's and I was appalled at the childish behaviour of the Tories - jeering every time Mr. Corbyn was speaking. I hate to say this but I used to support the Conservatives, I have not done so since 2011 I ?nd the party abhorrent and out of touch with reality. I am also horri?ed at the thousands of deaths and poverty they are responsible for. In the last election I voted UKIP, however I would now vote for Jeremy Corbyn as he is genuine and does care for the people of which we the tax payer pay for MP's to do. MP's are the elected represented voice of the people. I have noticed in the Ministerial Code for 2015 Mr. Cameron has stated "This Government was elected with a clear set of instructions from the British people. To back working people. To deliver security at every stage of their lives. To build not just a stronger economy, but a stronger society, too." The Tories got back into of?ce with only 23% of the public voting for them, Mr. Cameron is speaking for the 1% and not of the instructions of the British people. The majority of the British people did not vote Conservative and I shall bet if we had proportional voting Mr. Cameron would not have got back into of?ce. The point of this email is with regards to the abhorrent and disrespectful behaviour of the Tories during PMQ's and the inability of Mr. Cameron being able to answer Mr. Corbyn's questions. I would like to make you aware that I have my own copy of the Erskine May Parliamentary Practice I have the 23rd edition which is not too dissimilar of the 24th edition - I am going to ask you why you have not ordered Mr. Cameron to withdraw from the House? Page 448 Irrelevance or tedious repetition. If any member wanders from the question under discussion, the speaker will interrupt him and remind him that he must speak to the question. if a member persists in irrelevance or tedious repetition either of his own arguments, or arguments used by other members in debate, standing order no. 42 empowers the speaker, after calling the attention of the house to the members conduct, to direct him to discontinue his speech, if he refuses to obey the direction of the chair, the speaker, acting under standing order no.43, may either direct him to withdraw from the house for the remainder of the sitting, or name him for disregarding the authority of the chair. Please also take a look at page 444 - Rules of Behaviour For Members Not Speaking page 445 Hissing or clapping etc -and continue to read through to page 453. Mr. Bercow We the tax payer - pay our MP's a very attractive salary and expenses, we are not getting our monies worth, in fact most of the House of Commons members would receive their P45's. We have NOT given the Tory Party the authority to wipe out the disabled and vulnerable, we have not given the authority to cause severe hardship and poverty and we have not given authority for the excessive pay rise which MP's have been given. Remember you are our public servants, I am going to ask you kindly to bring order to this gaggle of buffoons and use your Erskine May Parliamentary Practice. Please ensure on the next PMQ's you use the Standing orders and your Erskine May Parliamentary Practice Yours sincerely From: BERCOW, John Sent: 05 November 2015 09:18 To: Speaker's Office Subject: FW: Prime Minister's Questions From: Sent: 04 November 2015 23:17 To: BERCOW, John Subject: Prime Minister's Questions Dear John Bercow, I write to express my dismay at your poor handling of PMQs today. You are appointed to control parliament and to allow prOper debate. A serious question deserves a serious answer without the outrageous barracking from back bench politicians. This was most notably from the Conservative party whenever Jeremy Corbyn asked a perfectly reasonable question. On one occasion, you allowed the racket to continue for long after Mr Corbyn had paused waiting for the noise to die down. Only when he appealed to you did you do anything about it. This does politicians and yourself no favours. The public is increasingly disenchanted with all Westminster politicians. We don't hear this type of nonsense in the Scottish parliament or the Welsh Assembly; nor is it evident in the US Senate. It really has no place in Westminster either. PMQs is not entertainment. It is an opportunity for the British public to listen to their questions being answered in a sensitive and civilised manner. This type of school boy behaviour has to stop now. As Speaker, you should take the leaders of all parties aside and set out the ground rules for expected codes of behaviour during PMQs. If you can't perform the job you've been appointed to do, then you shouldn't be in the position. Yours sincerely, Sent: ovem er 1518:15 To: BERCOW, John Subject: Noisy Dear Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP. I am writing to you in your capacity as Speaker of the House of Commons and have a suggestion to help improve the public perception of Parliament. I am a 21 year old university student who has been watching Prime Minister's Questions since Mr. Jeremy Corbyn was elected leader of the opposition and occasionally during the period when Ed Miliband performed the role. In recent weeks, I have become appalled at the way many treat their opposing members. particularly the Conservatives vs. Mr. Corbyn when he is trying to speak. Many of them act far too loud and verbally aggressive towards him and the rest of the opposition. Equally. David Cameron is often interrupted during Prime Minister?s Questions looks just as frustrated as Mr. Corbyn. It is quite possible that many other members of the public feel this way too and therefore it is discouraging them from taking as much of an observational interest in politics as have. I recognise how often you have called for order when this shouting occurs, but my belief is that simply doing this does not thoroughly improve public perception of Pubic opinion is frequently being damaged as a result of this yelling. I hope you will agree with me in when I combine this point with the scandal regarding expenses and historical allegations of child sex abuse during the 1980?s. Parliament to many people of my age group is not very appealing as a result ofthe yelling that frequently occurs. It is extremely disrespectful to the many constituents that MP's are paid to represent. especially considering their high salary. Consequently. it is an abuse towards the power of democracy. Therefore. I would recommend that you start to be a lot more strict in the way you control the behaviour of You must request for them to leave the chamber if they act too disruptive towards other MP's. I realise that this is already within your power, but it is far too infrequent when I actually see it happen. An MP should only have to be warned once about their misbehaviour and then be suspended from the House of Commons for a certain number of weeks if it happens again. This temporary ban would include Prime Minister?s Questions, irrespective of which political that they represent. Some members may complain that it would stop them from asking their question to the Prime Minister or any other minister with a portfolio. My opinion is contrary to this. and think that it will encourage an improvement in the behaviour of MP's. If you would like to further discuss this issue with me, have left my contact details below. If you wish to call me. please email me at least 24 hours beforehand so that have enough notice in order to speak with you. I currently live in -so Jeremy Lefroy is my local MP but I am electorally registered in ?with David Mowat MP. Forwarding this email to either one of these MP's for their opinion would be useful. but I would prefer to hear your thoughts on this matter. I look forward to your response. Yours Faithfully From: BERCOW, John Sent: 05 November 2015 09:56 To: Speaker?s Office Subject: FW: Sent: ovem er 9:55 To: BERCOW, John Subject: Dear John Bercow, I'm actually writing about your role as Speaker of I have been watching video of questions to the Prime Minister and have been appalled at the behaviour you allow our MPs to get away with. From the expression on your face you clearly enjoy this kind of bear pit but frankly it makes me sick that these people who control so much of our lives cannot control themselves when they enter the chamber. I think it is time you did something about it. Calm things down, throw out those who can't calm down. You could suspend business, clear the room and make them all come back 20 minutes later to start again. Just ask any good teacher for more ideas. From: BERCOW, John Sent: 05 November 2015 13:23 To: Speaker's Office Subject: FW: PMQ's Sent: 05 November 2015 13:19 To: BERCOW, John Subject: PMQ's Dear Mr Bercow, Let me introduce myself. I?m a practitioner in the NHS at ?St Thomas? hospital, just across the road from where you work. Every Wednesday I watch the at the end of our clinic. I am a huge admirer of yours and how you control the house during these debates. However, in this weeks session there were some very pertinent questions put the Prime Minister regarding the NHS but I couldn?t decipher them over the din from the back benches. I appreciate it must be an extremely challenging task to keep them in order and I don?t envy your role as Speaker in the slightest. I?m sure I don?t speak for myself when I say I ?nd it a huge insult to the ?general public? that these questions are undertaken in this way and I would appreciate some assurance from you that this weekly session be conducted in a fair manner. Warm regards, Yours sincerely From? Sent: 05 November 2015 18:17 To: BERCOW, John Subject: Prime Ministers Question Time Dear Mr. Bercow, with all due respect to your of?ce I would like to ask you to do more during PMQT to keep the members from barking and baying in a silly childish manner. It makes it nearly impossible for those who like to watch on their TV to hear what is being said. If you receive more emails on this subject, blame me, it's something I feel very strongly about. Sincerelii The lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime .. And, departing, leave behind us Footprints 0n the sands of time Sent: ovem er 1518:16 To: BERCOW, John Subject: Re: The disgrace to democracy and the people of Britain: PMQ's Dear Mr Rt Hon John Bercow MP I am writing to express my disgust with the obnoxious and contemptuous manner in which the Conservative benches behave during PMQ's. Yesterday's PMQ's was the most abhorrent spectacle I have ever bared witness to in Parliament. feel that the braying and scoffing and jeering disrespects the people of this country and I respectfully request that you, with your power as the Speaker of the House of Commons, do your upmost to uphold order and hold them who display themselves in this most despicable way to account. If times were good for all and the everyday people of this country were thriving, then I may possibly have no issue with the weekly pantomime performance that is PMQ's. But, as millions face such dire times through the abolition of Working Tax Credits, a possible winter crisis in the NHS and the dismantling of workers rights etc. while the ratio of inequality continues to widen, feel that all members of the House of Commons who fail to take seriously the questions which have been posed to the Prime Minister, in order to represent the views ofthe people, a disgrace to this country. Yours Sincerely, Dz? Mr 8 I We are rgwbu' MW quw,-umawa um W, REM he gamut .FOP ?gmjw. gtIE ink$? it. at 5 i3. i?wiwv. GILBJEFEEQE ?mmwa,mm~ WM [w W- {time i From: Sent: 09 November 2015 21:15 To: Speaker's Office Cc: CORBYN, Jeremy Subject: Prime Ministers Question Time - please keep order! Dear Speaker, Having watched the following video on youtube at the weekend of last week's PMQT, I was so incensed I contacted my MP Diana Johnson to ask for your contact details. This is what looks l? This is what 'democracy' looks lik Now, having since watched the full PMQT programme on iplayer I am aware there has been some editing, but still it's about time that the manner in which many serving politicians behave is addressed. They are not at a stag do; they are not on holiday; they are not going through freshers week. They are public servants. The way Jeremy Corbyn was treated last week was nothing short of vile. I am so upset and angry that this kind of loutish and bullying behaviour is being allowed to continue (and it appears to very much be promoted by the ruling party) and feel strongly that you should either ensure order is maintained by those present, or have people removed who persist in these bullying tactics, which are an affront to democracy. If I were to carry on like that in meetings in my professional capacity I could quite expect to have complaints upheld and be under disciplinary procedures. Jeremy Corbyn is putting to the Prime Minister questions which the public have asked him to address. The fact that the Conservatives feel that jeering and laughing are ways in which to respond to the very real distress which man eople across the country are feeling as a result of Tory policies is nothing short of sickening. I live in?and work as a in a particularly deprived area and I can assure you that every single day I am seeing the results that cuts to services are having on the most vulnerable people. It's NO laughing matter. I would very much appreciate it if you, as is your job, would keep appropriate order in the house and remind those present that at such deeply troubling times, to laugh and jeer at questions put by members of the public is extremely arrogant and represents a complete lack of care for those less fortunate than themselves. Yours sincerely, inal Messa Sent: 10 November 2015 09:54 To: BERCOW, .lohn Subject: Prime Minister's Question Time Dear Mr Bercow, The behaviour of the Conservative MP5 at last Wednesday Prime Minister?s Question Time (4th Nov.) was an absolute disgrace. I?ve seen better behaved, drunken yobs on a Saturday night. A very bad example of behaviour, not setting a very good example. The Prime Minister should apologise to the British people. We demand better from our MP5. I strongly advise you to see the television version of this event, what came across was that the Conservative MPs appeared to be totally arrogant and not interested in democratic debate. It was absolutely shocking. Perhaps the bar should be closed before debates of this kind, because it did look as if most were drunk. No wonder the public have such a low opinion of MPs. Very bad for democracy. Please bring this up at the next PMQ and with the Prime Minister. From? Sent: 12 November 2015 17:27 To: BERCOW, John Subject: PMQ Dear Mr Bercow, I have been meaning to compose and send this email to you for some time now but my hope that PMQs would improve held me off doing so. However after a few years now of watching PMQs and seeing no real improvement, I felt compelled to write this. I am a young professional and keep a close on and have a keen interest in politics. I can't say that this is an interest which is shared by a lot of other young professionals and I can understand why. I believe that the reasons for this are due to the reasons I will be sharing throughout this email. I am astounded that the people who run this country believe that PMQs is their opportunity to score points against the opposition, engage in name calling and making silly remarks whilst almost never fully answering a question. I can almost always predict the prime ministers rehearsed response to the questions asked of him. Where is the substance and the passion in his work and in his responses? I also ?nd it extremely disturbing that on many occasions, serious questions asked about working class people and when examples are given of their situations, this is met with sniggering and inappropriate responses. How or why is this allowed? More so, why would anyone in such a powerful position think this is an appropriate response? The manner in which both parties behave during PMQs, namely the Conservative party, is shocking. Talking over others, calling out, shouting across at each other? Do they not realise how immature and unprofessional they come across? It also comes across as them making light of the severity of some of the issues being discussed. PMQs is meant to be a serious debate and an opportunity for the public to keep up to date with developments instead it has become something of a joke and nothing more than a theatre performance! Given your position and in?uence! i sincerely hope that you can use this to address some of these issues raised as I am very sure that I am not the only person that feels this way about PMQs. Thank you.