On Tuesday 8th September, Buckingham and Winslow MP, John Bercow, addressed a joint meeting of the Winslow and Buckingham Rotary Clubs in the Bell Hotel, Winslow. The packed meeting over dinner heard John discussed how he was combining his work as local MP with his new role as Speaker of the House of Commons.

John said, “It was a pleasure for me to visit the two local Rotary Clubs again and to underline my continuing commitment to the people of the Buckingham constituency. On this subject, I made two key points. As I pointed out, the vast majority of the work of a parliamentary representative in the House of Commons and in the constituency is of a non-partisan nature and I am continuing that work with undiminished vigour. First, my office handles hundreds of constituency communications every week and I am taking up constituents’ concerns with local authorities, public bodies, government departments and others just as I have always done.

I am staging regular surgeries and corresponding on behalf of constituents. Letters that I send to Ministers are accorded special priority for early reply in recognition of the fact that the Speaker does not table questions or speak on the floor of the House. This special arrangement for dealing with Ministers means that I can deliver at least as good a service to constituents, if not materially better.

Secondly, I can continue to attend events and undertake visits of a non-party political character throughout the constituency. Visiting schools, health services, local authorities, charities, voluntary organisations and community gatherings has always represented by far the largest share of my constituency work and I am delighted to continue with it.”

Mr. Bercow went on to describe his priorities as Speaker – to clean up politics by helping to introduce as a matter of urgency a new expenses system that is transparent and fair, to strengthen Parliament in scrutinising the work of the government and to serve as an ambassador for Parliament in building a relationship of trust with the electorate as a whole.