John Bercow ’embarrassed’ for Kemi Badenoch

‘I feel embarrassed for Kemi Badenoch’ says former Commons Speaker…

The former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow has chatted to Al Arabiya English in an exclusive interview in which he gave his verdict on Kemi Badenoch as Conservative Party leader.

Bercow also spoke to presenter Micheal Prendergast about his feelings on Nigel Farage and the possibility of him becoming PM, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the possibility of closer ties between the EU and the UK.

Bercow also reflected on his long-standing ambition to enter parliament, what it felt like arriving as an MP in 1997, and his experience chairing the Commons during intense political moments, including the Brexit debates. Bercow also discussed how Margaret Thatcher initially inspired him, then observed that he came to see Tony Blair as the best prime minister he served with and also his deep admiration for the eloquence of Tony Benn and the sharp debating skill of Robin Cook.

He also commented on the current state of British politics, expressing strong support for Keir Starmer and describing the legacy left by 14 years of Conservative government as “very challenging, even toxic.”

Speaking about Tory leader Kemi Badenoch he said:

“I don’t wish to be unkind to someone who is already in deep trouble, but Kemi Badenoch I am afraid is completely out of her depth. I feel embarrassed for Kemi. When I hear her perform. She speaks so badly. One often concludes it would be better if she didn’t speak at all. She is not in any serious sense a threat to the government.”

On the surge in Reform across the political landscape John noted:

“I don’t think there will be a coalition between the Conservative Party and Reform. Nigel Farage doesn’t want a deal. He wants to destroy the Conservative Party.”

“[Nigel] could be [the next Prime Minister] but I don’t think he will be. The electoral system is against him. He has got to have a much wider policy pitch than banging on about Brexit.”

Talking about current controversial Labour PM Keir Starmer and his ‘EU deal’ John was in the positive:

“Real progress has been made. All progress is negotiation. The situation is much better than it was before. It is all very well the conservative party criticising. That bunch of jokers were in power for 14 years and they made a hideous mess of things.

“They’ve got a brass neck to grumble that what has been achieved so far isn’t enough. Isn’t enough? Starmer has only been in power for less than 11 months and he has achieved a great deal more in that time than Badenoch and her colleagues were ever able to achieve. I think frankly a period of silence from the Conservatives would be suitable and widely welcomed.”

Al Arabiya News brings headlines and opinion from the Middle East for English-speaking audiences around the world.