Early signs of Bercow’s support for backbenchers

John Bercow has already put ministers under greater pressure from backbenchers since becoming Speaker of the House.

Comparing the final ten sitting days before this and last year’s summer recesses, DeHavilland has identified an immediate rise in the role of backbenchers.  

Ministers faced ten percent more oral questions as the new Speaker demanded business be handled at pace. Along with the new average 46.4 questions answered in hour long questions sessions, Mr Bercow oversaw three urgent questions, compared with none the year before.

Statements to the Commons also saw a rise in responses, with a typical twenty-three under Mr Martin rising to twenty-nine under John Bercow.

This is the first indication that John Bercow will keep his promise and strengthen the role of backbenchers and the Commons. Indeed if this improved scrutiny continues then a bolder class of backbenchers could well impact on any future government with a small majority.