In John Bercow MPs have picked a moderate Conservative to drive reform, but analysts say fixing the damage after an expenses scandal will take more than a new face.
Mr Bercow, who has been an MP since 1997, takes over from Michael Martin after he was forced to step down because of dissatisfaction with his handling of the far-reaching expenses affair.
Seen by many MPs as a more progressive alternative to a raft of older frontrunners, Mr Bercow saw off nine other candidates including former Labour foreign minister Margaret Beckett and 67-year-old Conservative baronet George Young.
He will now have to help drive changes to the way parliament operates, push to make the government more accountable to the House of Commons and reconnect the public with the political system.
In a packed, cheering lower house, Mr Bercow feigned reluctance as he was traditionally “dragged” to the speakers chair. The speaker must resign from his or her political party. The new speaker will no longer be in charge of the Commons allowances system. – (Reuters)