Golden balls, ladder and equality rainbow... the oh-so-tasteful Bercow coat of arms (which has cost the taxpayer £15,000)

At first glance it looks like a new-fangled Christmas board game. But look closer. 

This is Commons Speaker John Bercow’s new coat of arms – and that ladder in the middle has nothing to do with snakes.

It’s his way of reminding us how far he’s come as the son of a North London cabbie. So what about those gold counters in the middle? Well, they are actually balls representing his love of tennis.   Read Full