Former UK House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, who gained international fame refereeing the country's political drama over Brexit, said on Sunday he had quit the governing Conservatives to join the opposition Labour Party.
Bercow was a Conservative lawmaker for 12 years until being elected in 2009 to the neutral role of Speaker, responsible for running House of Commons business and interpreting Parliament's rules of procedure.
He enraged the Conservative governments of Prime Minister Theresa May and her successor, Boris Johnson, by giving legislators chances to stymie proposed legislation about the UK's exit from the European Union.
He became a hero to opponents of Brexit and a villain to its supporters, and was recognised around the world for his loud ties and even louder calls of "Order!"
Bercow was accused during his career of bullying members of his staff, claims he denied. He stepped down in 2019.