Former UK Parliament Speaker John Bercow Endorses NCRI as the Alternative in Iran’s Fight for Freedom

At the “Massive Iranian Resistance Rally” held in Berlin on June 21, 2025, former UK House of Commons Speaker John Bercow passionately voiced his support for the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom. Marking the 44th anniversary of the 1981 massacre of peaceful protesters in Tehran, Bercow condemned the Iranian regime as a “barbaric obscenity” and challenged the notion that no alternative to the regime exists.

He highlighted the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) as a legitimate and democratic alternative, backed by strong support both inside Iran and across the world. Praising the NCRI’s comprehensive ten-point plan and the leadership of Maryam Rajavi, Bercow urged the international community to recognize the Iranian people’s right to self-determination.

Closing his speech, Bercow expressed his unwavering belief that the movement for democracy in Iran will succeed, describing the NCRI as a force of both inspiration and determination. He pledged to stand alongside the Iranian people until they can freely celebrate their victory in Tehran.

Speech by the Rt. Hon. John Bercow in which he underlined that the Iranian people neither want the current theocracy, nor want to return to monarchy, they want a free, democratic, and secular republic, which the NCRI advocates for. #FreeIran2025 #IranThirdOption pic.twitter.com/HSXTnzxTfv

— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) June 21, 2025

The text of John Bercow’s speech follows. Portions have been lightly edited for clarity and flow.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends, I am here—as you are all here—for one reason and one reason only: we are united in the absolute determination that the people of Iran will enjoy democracy and freedom, sooner rather than later.

Of course, as you know, we meet today marking the 44th anniversary of that appalling and bestial act of state slaughter by the fascist Iranian government. Peaceful protesters—who dared, in Tehran in 1981, to express views of which the mullahs disapproved—were met with deadly force.

The mullahs thought it was acceptable to shoot on sight large numbers of people who simply dared to disagree with them. So, my friends, we are all agreed: the present government of Iran is a barbaric obscenity. A barbaric obscenity that stinks in the nostrils of decent people everywhere. That regime cannot last—because it exists in contempt of the will of the Iranian people themselves.

But you know, for far too long, governments around the world have swallowed the Iranian regime’s biggest lie—that there is no alternative. Let me tell you, my friends: there is an alternative.

The idea that the choice is between appeasement and war? Wrong. That is a bogus choice. A false dilemma.

Appeasement never works. I’m British—my people discovered as far back as 1939 that appeasing fascism wouldn’t work, couldn’t work, and didn’t work.

Back then, the alternative was war. But today, there is a third choice. A third option. And that is: for governments to accept and proclaim that the people of Iran have the right to choose their own government.

Is there a credible, articulate, principled alternative?

Yes—there is.

That alternative is the National Council of Resistance of Iran. And why do I say that? For three reasons:

First, the NCRI, supported by the MEK Resistance Units, has a firm base and a solid footing throughout Iran. They are strong on the ground.

Second, the NCRI enjoys international and domestic support. In the UK Parliament—where I served for 22 years, including over 10 as Speaker—support came from members across the political spectrum. Right, left, and center—all united in backing the NCRI as a democratic alternative.

And third, the NCRI has a clear plan: a democratic republic that will abolish the death penalty, separate religion from politics, achieve gender equality, establish an independent judiciary and rule of law, and ensure respect for human rights—including ethnic and national minorities. A free society. A market-based economy. Environmentally responsible. And crucially, a non-nuclear Iran.

That is what the NCRI stands for. And they’ve made it clear—they will draft a new democratic, pluralistic constitution and hand governance over to the people through free elections.

That sounds like a pretty credible alternative to me.

Now, you may hear talk of princes or kings, living abroad for decades, with ties to a bygone regime, who fantasize about returning like white knights to “save” Iran. Let me say it plainly: that is nonsense. Nonsense on stilts.

Freedom and democracy must be delivered by those who have felt the pain of the last 46 years—and who also opposed the Shah before that. People like the heroine of our time, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi.

Mrs. Rajavi is a crusader—for freedom, for democracy, for human rights, for autonomy, and for the rule of law.

Let me say something in her absence: if you measure courage and guts in gallons—her tank is completely full. She is fearless, tireless, and principled. And I am absolutely certain that you—under her leadership—will prevail.

Why am I so confident?

Because in any walk of life—politics, business, the arts, or sport—there are two ingredients of success. The first is inspiration: talent, ability, knowledge, competence. You have that. The NCRI has that. Mrs. Rajavi has that.

But the second is perspiration: hard work, dedication, relentlessness, a mindset that says, “I refuse to lose.”

And that, my friends, you have in abundance.

You will defeat the dictators. You will build democracy.

I will be with you every step of the way, all the way to Tehran.

And I say now: what do we want for the people of Iran?

Freedom and democracy.

When do we want it?

Now. Now. Now.

Thank you. You will win. Bless you.