UK lawmakers electing new speaker to replace John Bercow

British lawmakers are electing a new House of Commons speaker to replace influential yet controversial John Bercow.

Bercow retired last week after a decade that saw him become a central player in Britain’s Brexit drama. His successor will run daily business of Commons, keeping lawmakers in line with robust cries of “Order!”

Some politicians want to see a more cautious approach than that taken by Bercow, who prided himself on making government answer to Parliament. Critics accused him of favoring anti-Brexit politicians at expense of supporters of leaving European Union.

re are eight contenders, including Bercow’s three deputies and long-serving Labour lawmaker Harriet Harman. Legislators vote Monday afteron by secret ballot, holding rounds of votes until one candidate secures majority support.