25 signatures reached
To: UK Parliament
Give us a voice, not a Speaker!
End the undemocratic practice of no major party standing for election against the Speaker, which effectively disenfranchises nearly all the voters in that constituency. When a Speaker is chosen by Parliament, his/her constituents should elect a new MP.
Why is this important?
Since 2010, no major party has stood for election in the Buckingham constituency. Following an archaic, and blatantly anti-democratic convention, none of these parties stands against the Speaker.
The electorate has therefore had the choice of voting for the Speaker, John Bercow – who is unable to vote in the House of Commons – but not for Conservative, Labour or Lib-Dem candidates.
Mr Bercow has just announced that he will stand for election once again. Buckingham constituents thus face another five years of being unrepresented in Parliament. The Speaker is unable to vote on any motion in Parliament so his constituents are effectively disenfranchised. This issue is of national importance - we are being denied our democratic rights!
How it will be delivered
I shall endeavour to deliver the signatures in person to the Speaker (if not, by email). Press conference will depend on the response.
