BAD losers? I should say so. The anti-Brexit campaigners still don’t seem to understand that they lost the referendum last June, and seem hell-bent on frustrating the will of the British voting public, probably excusing their antics by calling in aid the title of the late and great Tam Dalyell’s last book, The Importance of Being Awkward.

As for the hordes who clog up our city streets denouncing Donald Trump, those who now attack him, especially across The Pond, should have worked harder to ensure he was defeated at the election. But they failed.

Trump was legitimately elected President of the United States and is actually doing what he undertook to do during the campaign. People may not like it or him, but to quote a politician’s cliche, “We are where we are”.

Assuming the State Visit goes ahead, it cannot be watered down to transform him into a kind of second-class President. He must be allowed to address Parliament in Westminster Hall and be treated courteously according to his rank. Anything less would be degrading and insulting - and could irreparably damage the UK-US special relationship.

Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has accused anti-Trump protestors of “staggering over-reaction”. He said: “I cannot recall such demonstrations against terrible and autocratic regimes such as Burma, Sudan and North Korea. It is one of the key characteristics of those who consider themselves progressive to reserve condemnation for America, the West, or Israel, and ignore actual evil-doers.” Hear, hear.

IT was plainly not going to be long before a book, claiming to be a biography of Theresa May, hit the shops. Needless to say it “uncovers” dirty tricks in the Conservative Party. It is claimed ex-Chancellor George Osborne wanted May sacked as Home Secretary. May, once in Downing Street, made short work of him, sacking him in 10 minutes flat. And it reportedly took her only two minutes to get rid of Michael Gove, the ex-Justice Secretary. It was swift retribution on two politicians who should have known better.

I HAVE known a few Commons Speakers in my day, but I cannot recall one who has been the subject of so much prolonged criticism, inside the Chamber and outside, than the present incumbent, John Bercow. He has brought most of it on himself. He too often interrupts the normal flow of debate by complaining about the noise. He doesn’t seem to realise that for people with strong views, like most MPs, it is instinctive for them to express those views with a “hear hear” or some negative comment when they disagree after something controversial is uttered. But more important than that, the Speaker is there in part to ensure MPs adhere to the parliamentary rules, many of which can be traced back to the mists of antiquity. For instance, one day last week, Tory MP Chloe Smith brought a baby into the Chamber. The Speaker told her not to be sheepish and that the baby was very welcome in the chamber. A clear breach of the strict convention that only MPs can sit in the Chamber while a debate is going on.

And in the same week, Bercow pointed up at the public, or strangers’ gallery, and uttered welcoming remarks to some high-ranking Burmese officials who were sitting there. But the rules and conventions clearly state that as far as MPs are concerned, none of the galleries in the chamber actually exist - so it is a breach of the rules or conventions to draw attention to them. Trivial you may think, but these are rules and conventions that form part of what is probably the most envied legislative chamber in the world. Until they are abolished they should be adhered to, especially by the Speaker of all people.