{"id":87502,"date":"2026-06-22T15:56:21","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T13:56:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=87502"},"modified":"2026-06-22T16:04:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T14:04:54","slug":"john-bercow-endorses-ncris-democratic-alternative-rejects-monarchy-and-theocracy-for-iran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/free-iran-2026\/2026\/06\/john-bercow-endorses-ncris-democratic-alternative-rejects-monarchy-and-theocracy-for-iran\/87502\/","title":{"rendered":"John Bercow Endorses NCRI\u2019s Democratic Alternative, Rejects Monarchy and Theocracy for Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"John
John Bercow speaks at the Free Iran 2026 World Summit in Paris, backing democratic change and rejecting both dictatorship and monarchy in Iran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

John Bercow Voices Strong Support for NCRI, Rejects Both Monarchy and Theocratic Rule in Iran<\/h3>\n

Speaking at the Free Iran 2026 World Summit<\/a> in Paris on June 20, 2026, former Speaker of the UK House of Commons John Bercow reaffirmed his strong support for the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI<\/a>), while firmly opposing both the current clerical establishment and any restoration of monarchical<\/a> rule in Iran.<\/p>\n

Bercow praised NCRI President-elect\u00a0Maryam Rajavi<\/a>, describing her as an inspiring leader and highlighting the NCRI\u2019s Ten-Point Plan<\/a> as a credible framework for building a democratic, secular, and pluralistic republic. He emphasized that the plan offers a forward-looking vision based on freedom, equality, and democratic governance.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on his 22 years in the British Parliament, Bercow noted that although political parties often disagreed on foreign policy matters, support for the NCRI, the MEK Resistance Units<\/a> inside Iran, and Maryam Rajavi remained remarkably consistent across the political spectrum.<\/p>\n

Drawing a clear distinction between the NCRI\u2019s democratic platform and alternative political proposals, Bercow criticized efforts to revive Iran\u2019s monarchical past. Referring to recent remarks by Reza Pahlavi defending aspects of his father\u2019s rule, he argued that hereditary and authoritarian systems have no place in a modern democracy and cannot serve as a viable path for Iran\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

Bercow also condemned years of Western appeasement toward Tehran, describing the policy as ineffective and counterproductive. He urged the United Kingdom and its international partners to formally recognize the NCRI as a legitimate democratic alternative to the current regime.<\/p>\n

Concluding his remarks, Bercow pledged continued parliamentary and international support for the Iranian people\u2019s struggle for freedom, justice, and democratic self-determination, stressing that the international community must do more to help Iranians achieve the rights and opportunities they have long been denied.<\/p>\n

A full script of John Bercow\u2019s speech follows:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Distinguished former prime ministers, foreign ministers, ambassadors, august representatives of the United States military, and above all Mrs. Maryam Rajavi\u2014a champion of liberty, a heroine for humanity, and I think we can agree, my friends, ladies and gentlemen, one and all, one of the bravest people on the face of the planet.<\/p>\n

It is a privilege to be invited to be amongst your number, and perhaps I can underline and reinforce the message so brilliantly articulated at the outset, of course, by Mrs. Rajavi, then by Christine, by Charles, and by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.<\/p>\n

What a pathetic, abject, pitiful, craven, feeble, submissive surrender on the part of the Paris authorities! What on earth did they think they were doing?<\/p>\n

Whatever the apologia, whatever the rationalization, indeed whatever the motives of those anonymous individuals responsible for this attempted perversion of our weekend\u2019s activities, in practice, they need to know one thing: They weren\u2019t being clever, they weren\u2019t being prudent; they were being utterly stupid and playing the game of the mullahs in Tehran.<\/p>\n

\n

Former UK @HouseofCommons<\/a> Speaker John Bercow decries France\u2019s decision to ban today\u2019s 100,000-strong Free Iran rally at the request of the regime.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a pathetic, abject, pitiful, craven, feeble, submissive surrender on the part of the Paris authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n

CC: @FrenchResponse<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/JBhNIViaVi<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ESmRSE7ZAi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 M. Hanif Jazayeri (@HanifJazayeri) June 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n