Talk:John Bercow

Four edits

In September 2006 John Bercow MP became a Patron of the Tory Reform Group (TimothyCrockford 15.04, 20 January 2007 (UTC))

I have edited this article extensively for four reasons:

• 1) Bercow was refered to as "John". This is inappropriate when writing an article about someone who most readers will not personally.
• 2) Bercow was refered to as being an Opposition Spokeperson - this is the wrong terminology.
• 3) The list of his appointments read like a shopping list.
• 4) It omited his clashes with IDS

(Steve 01:22, 1 October 2006 (UTC))

Height?

As a relatively new Wikipediast, I'm not sure of the etiquette for this, but is it appropriate to note that he is exceedingly short?

Have added his height as 5'6", sourced to times. It is appropriate, I believe.93.96.148.42 (talk) 17:56, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Appropriate for what purpose? We don't do this for any other MP, do we? We don't mention Hazel Blears' height, and she's tiny. Please look at WP:NOT to see what is considered worthy of inclusion here. Rodhullandemu 19:29, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Expenses

Have reworded the expenses section, as it was very misleading - according to theyworkforyou.com, he's actually (relatively) very cheap.... Pentop (talk) 10:59, 20 June 2009 (UTC)

Jewish Taxi Driver

Why is he listed as the son of a "Jewish" taxi river instead of just a taxi driver? Is there some kudos attached to being a Jewish cabbie? (Aurumpotestasest (talk) 19:41, 22 June 2009 (UTC))

I think it's more to do with his Jewish descent then his taxi-driving descent ;) ninety:one 19:48, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Anything on his mother?--88.109.156.13 (talk) 19:51, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Is he Jewish? He may have a Jewish father, but this may not clinch the argument since under Jewish religous law your status is determined by your mother. It's surprising if this has never been mentioned since AFAIK there has never previously been a Jewish Speaker. PatGallacher (talk) 21:16, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

He was described this evening by David Cameron as the first speaker of "the Jewish faith".--Scott Mac (Doc) 21:27, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

As far as I can recall, he attends church on a regular basis... Let's leave out any mention of his religion until we get an official bio from the House. ninety:one 21:34, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

No need to wait. The sources are good.

• "Bercow becomes first Jewish speaker of UK House of Commons" (Jerusalem Post) [1]
• "Cameron rightly marks the "milestone" of Bercow being the "first person of Jewish faith" to be elected as Speaker." (The Spectator) [2]

--Scott Mac (Doc) 21:50, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Both are merely re-reporting what Cameron said, and the Mail has now hinted that he may in fact be athiest[3]. As I said, let us wait for some official statement from the House or similar. ninety:one^{(sch acct)} 10:49, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

Possible photo for article

I've found a photo of Bercow from Flickr, and from what I understand Flickr photos can be used on articles. However, I am very new to Wikipedia, so I'm not sure if I'm right nor I am sure how to upload photographs. I thought to raise the photo here, in case it is appropriate and someone else could then maybe upload it instead.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenaye/1505727645/ Renoti (talk) 20:18, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Sadly the image is fully copyrighted. You could try asking the author though. ninety:one 20:22, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Thank you for your response and advice. I would ask, but taking a look at the image permission process it looks awfully complicated, and I'm afraid I don't feel as yet confident enough to try it. Sorry about this. May I ask if any of the other Flickr photos of Bercow (http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=John%20Bercow&w=all) are ok? Renoti (talk) 20:29, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Again, no: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=John+Bercow&l=comm&ct=0&adv=1 Sorry! ninety:one 20:43, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Sorry to have troubled. Thanks again. Renoti (talk) 20:46, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

What would be better, for Wikipedia and for its overall mission, would be for someone to take a picture of Bercow and release it as free content. Wikipedia improves, and the world gains more free content. Uncle G (talk) 23:16, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Ask the people at the local WikiProject for Buckingham to search for him and take photos. Jolly Ω Janner 00:09, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

or e-mail BERCOWJ@parliament.uk Francium12 (talk) 18:05, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

I'll do my best, contacts etc. *taps nose* ninety:one 20:17, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

Malicious vandalism to article

Bercow was elected Speaker this evening and I am guessing some people who don't like him aren't too happy. Someone with IP 93.96.236.8 changed "Rumours of defection" to "Rumours of defecation" which seems can only be maliciously intended. I've changed it back. (Sorry I only realised afterwards I should have corrected it via "undo" rather than as a new minor edit). --Whimsical Oracle (talk) 20:41, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Thank you for your work, but in general you don't need to post on the talk page if you're just undoing vandalism :) ninety:one 20:43, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

Expenses

This whole section is kinda original resreach. Anyone got any other sources?©Geni 21:14, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

• It's somewhat disingenuous to describe Bercow as occupying 'joint first position' in terms of the Additional Costs Allowance. Looking at the 2007/2008 data he was one of 143 MPs who claimed the maximum and a further 86 were within 1% of the maximum. Pontificake (talk) 20:04, 23 June 2009 (UTC)