Apropos Bercow

Ten years ago when John Bercow was made Speaker I insisted on watching his inauguration live on television.

Thunderthighs (then aged 13) came into the room and asked “Why are you watching this?”

“Because it’s historic.”

“Why?”

“Well.  The previous speaker was forced out, which has seldom happened before.  John Bercow was elected by secret ballot of all the MPs, which has never happened before.  And he’s the first Jewish person to be elected Speaker.”

Thunderthighs thought for a few moments then …

“Jewish … Is he beige?”

I was and am completely nonplussed by that one. 

So much so I didn’t feel able to ask what it was all about.

Every year since the millennium I’ve helped organised a Summer Fair and Xmas Pudding Fun Run fundraising for the school my boys went to.  The local MP The Right Hon Alan Campbell supports the school and turns out every Boxing Day to start the Run.  So over the years of cold, frost and sometimes horizontal rain we’ve become friendly acquaintances.  The next time I saw him I told him about Thunderthighs’ beige remark.

“Beige” said the Rt Hon MP “Well I’ve heard Bercow called a lot of things but I’ve never heard him called beige.”