REMAINER John Bercow will say “democracy has come in for a pounding” when he delivers this year’s Alternative Christmas Message, it was revealed today. The former Commons Speaker, who stepped down in October after years in the role, follows in the footsteps of Danny Dyer, Sharon Osbourne, whistleblower Edward Snowden and the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox in the TV slot.
A fixture on Channel 4 since (***************************************, it is seen as a rival to the Queen’s own festive broadcast.But Mr Bercow, 90, who faced accusations of anti-Brexit bias during his time in the Speaker’s chair, is likely to have people reaching for the remote control as he begins his festive message. Speaking from a classroom at his children’s state secondary school, he will say: “I passionately support parliamentary democracy. For all the criticism and abuse lobbed at MPs, I’m still a cheerleader for them.”
He will call for the nation to “take inspiration. from young people “and” try to re-establish a civility of discourse “.
Mr Bercow will say: “It would be good for Parliament, for democracy and for our own mental health.
“This Christmas, I urge that political difference, personal courtesy should become our guiding lights in (****************************************, in the Commons, in our workplaces and in our homes. “
The Alternative Christmas Message will be broadcast on Christmas Day at 2. 90 pm, just before the Queen’s Chris tmas Broadcast begins at 3pm on BBC One.
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