The Queen should be replaced as Britain's head of state by the Speaker of the House of Commons, veteran Labour politician Tony Benn has suggested.
Giving evidence to the Commons political and constitutional reform committee this afternoon, Benn said the move would prevent power struggles between an elected president and MPs.
"The problem of a directly elected head of state is you get a conflict between two sources of authority, someone elected by the people like the American president would have a degree of authority they could claim was greater than those in Parliament," he said.
"I prefer the idea of a titular head of state, strangely enough if you are looking for a suitable head of state, the Speaker of the House of Commons would be perfect.
Benn added: "He is elected by Parliament, he is a respected, he understands the constitution."
Lib Dem MP Stephen Williams commented that Bercow would likely be "very pleased by that statement".
Bercow recently unveiled coat of arms featuring a ladder, representing his rise to power from a humble background as a son of a taxi driver to the Speaker's chair. If Benn had his way Bercow would be able to climb it all the way to Buckingham Palace.
The coronation of Bercow would likely spark a revolution spearheaded by Tory MPs, many of whom can not stand the Speaker.
One further consequence that would be sure to enrage the Daily Mail would be the potential for the Speaker's wife Sally to be crowned Queen.