Order! Order!

by Justin Cohen - Thursday 25th June 2009


Community leaders and fellow politicians this week welcomed John Bercow's historic election as House of Commons Speaker and expressed high hopes for his tenure as it emerged that a mezuzah could soon be affixed to his official residence.

The MP for Buckingham, whose new role will see him chairing parliamentary debates and representing the chamber to outside bodies, defied the odds and allegations over 'flipping' to be elected as the chamber's first ever Jewish speaker, following a six-hour voting marathon on Monday.

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Capturing the historic magnitude of the election of a politician of the faith, David Cameron told the Commons: "It is a milestone that we should mark." And it was the Tory leader who just moments later, in a keynote speech to Jewish Care's dinner briefly delayed by the vote, announced the result to guests to a spontaneous round of applause.

In a letter accompanying the gift of a mezuzah that he hopes will be placed on the door of his home in the Palace of Westminster, Zionist Federation president and former MP Eric Moonman wished the father-of-three "mazel tov" and told him that "what the house needs more than ever is a safe pair of hands".

Although the Speaker's role is not a policy-making one, his newfound prominence sparked inevitable curiosity about the former shadow cabinet minister's track record on issues of Jewish and Israel interest.

While not one of Conservative Friends of Israel's most active members, he is a member nevertheless, and visited Israel with the organisation in the mid-1990s. Another visit came as a member of the International Development Committee in 2006.

Recalling an occasion when he shared a platform with Bercow at a north London synagogue, Moonman told the Jewish News: "At the meeting he expressed positive and constructive views on Israel and the people of Israel. He also identified the value of the sprit of Judaism."

Although anti-Semitic and anti-Israel messages appeared on the internet following his election, Moonman insisted he didn't believe the appointment would lead to widespread anti-Semitism as it's not "a political job, its not one which will introduce policy. We've had many speakers who from the beginning to end of their service were unknown".

Bercow, 46, has also previously visited Auschwitz with the Holocaust Educational Trust. Chief Executive Karen Pollock said: "He was extremely moved by the visit, very supportive of the work and mission of HET and particularly keen to ensure young people not only learn about the past, but also learn about the sad truth that there has been genocide since the Holocaust."

Fellow Tory MP Lee Scott described as "a great honour" the fact that a Jewish MP had been installed as Speaker. "I welcome him and wish him every success as Speaker. I'm sure he'll bring the changes we need. I think he's going to be a great Speaker."

And there were already signs of change within hours of his election. Bercow pledged to wear a regular suit and plain robes rather than traditional court dress.

Board of Deputies Executive Director Jon Benjamin said: "The number of candidates for the position was almost unprecedented and Mr Bercow clearly did well to triumph in a closely contested election. We wish him well in his new position."

Michael Martin, who stepped down as Speaker after nine years following criticism over his handling of the expenses crisis, made various Jewish references in his final seech before the House last Wednesday. He said: "As a man of Christian faith, I have been able to welcome other faith groups and was so pleased to initiate the annual Jewish celebration of Chanukah taking place in Speaker's House, bringing members of staff, Members of the House and others of this ancient faith together."

He also recalled meeting a Holocaust survivor called Rose, saying: "She came to this country in 1946 after she had endured the horrors of Auschwitz and a long forced march back to Germany. She raised her family in Britain, and she would say about this Parliament, 'That building gave me my freedom.' Rosa held this House in high regard for perfectly justifiable reasons. The House must work tirelessly to restore the high esteem that she saw in it. Knowing you all personally, I know that you will do that, so that the people of the United Kingdom will have, once again, a parliamentary democracy that they can regard as the best in the world."

Read the latest copy of The Jewish News Online by clicking here.

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