At the “March to Freedom 2025” rally in Berlin on June 21, 2025, former Speaker of the UK House of Commons John Bercow delivered a passionate address backing the Iranian people’s fight for freedom and condemning the ruling regime as a “barbaric obscenity.” Speaking on the 44th anniversary of the 1981 massacre of peaceful protesters in Tehran, Bercow described the regime’s legacy of repression and denied the claim that there is no viable alternative.
He asserted that the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) provides a credible and democratic option, grounded in support from within Iran and internationally. Praising NCRI’s ten-point plan and Maryam Rajavi’s leadership, he called for global recognition of the Iranian people’s right to self-determination.
Bercow ended with confidence that the movement for democracy would prevail, calling the NCRI a movement with both “inspiration” and “perspiration,” and voicing his commitment to stand with Iranians until the day they can celebrate their freedom in Tehran.
The text of John Bercow’s speech follows. Portions have been lightly edited for clarity and flow.
Speech by the Rt. Hon. John Bercow in which he underlined that the Iranian people neither want the current theocracy, nor want to return to monarchy, they want a free, democratic, and secular republic, which the NCRI advocates for. #FreeIran2025 #IranThirdOption pic.twitter.com/HSXTnzxTfv
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) June 21, 2025
Ladies and gentlemen, friends, I am here—as you are all here—for one reason and one reason only: we are united in the absolute determination that the people of Iran will enjoy democracy and freedom, sooner rather than later.
Of course, as you know, we meet today marking the 44th anniversary of that appalling and bestial act of state slaughter by the fascist Iranian government. Peaceful protesters—who dared, in Tehran in 1981, to express views of which the mullahs disapproved—were met with deadly force.
The mullahs thought it was acceptable to shoot on sight large numbers of people who simply dared to disagree with them. So, my friends, we are all agreed: the present government of Iran is a barbaric obscenity. A barbaric obscenity that stinks in the nostrils of decent people everywhere. That regime cannot last—because it exists in contempt of the will of the Iranian people themselves.
But you know, for far too long, governments around the world have swallowed the Iranian regime’s biggest lie—that there is no alternative. Let me tell you, my friends: there is an alternative.
The idea that the choice is between appeasement and war? Wrong. That is a bogus choice. A false dilemma.
Appeasement never works. I’m British—my people discovered as far back as 1939 that appeasing fascism wouldn’t work, couldn’t work, and didn’t work.
Back then, the alternative was war. But today, there is a third choice. A third option. And that is: for governments to accept and proclaim that the people of Iran have the right to choose their own government.
Is there a credible, articulate, principled alternative?
Yes—there is.
That alternative is the National Council of Resistance of Iran. And why do I say that? For three reasons:
First, the NCRI, supported by the MEK Resistance Units, has a firm base and a solid footing throughout Iran. They are strong on the ground.
Second, the NCRI enjoys international and domestic support. In the UK Parliament—where I served for 22 years, including over 10 as Speaker—support came from members across the political spectrum. Right, left, and center—all united in backing the NCRI as a democratic alternative.
And third, the NCRI has a clear plan: a democratic republic that will abolish the death penalty, separate religion from politics, achieve gender equality, establish an independent judiciary and rule of law, and ensure respect for human rights—including ethnic and national minorities. A free society. A market-based economy. Environmentally responsible. And crucially, a non-nuclear Iran.
That is what the NCRI stands for. And they’ve made it clear—they will draft a new democratic, pluralistic constitution and hand governance over to the people through free elections.
That sounds like a pretty credible alternative to me.
Now, you may hear talk of princes or kings, living abroad for decades, with ties to a bygone regime, who fantasize about returning like white knights to “save” Iran. Let me say it plainly: that is nonsense. Nonsense on stilts.
Freedom and democracy must be delivered by those who have felt the pain of the last 46 years—and who also opposed the Shah before that. People like the heroine of our time, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi.
Mrs. Rajavi is a crusader—for freedom, for democracy, for human rights, for autonomy, and for the rule of law.
Let me say something in her absence: if you measure courage and guts in gallons—her tank is completely full. She is fearless, tireless, and principled. And I am absolutely certain that you—under her leadership—will prevail.
Why am I so confident?
Because in any walk of life—politics, business, the arts, or sport—there are two ingredients of success. The first is inspiration: talent, ability, knowledge, competence. You have that. The NCRI has that. Mrs. Rajavi has that.
But the second is perspiration: hard work, dedication, relentlessness, a mindset that says, “I refuse to lose.”
And that, my friends, you have in abundance.
You will defeat the dictators. You will build democracy.
I will be with you every step of the way, all the way to Tehran.
And I say now: what do we want for the people of Iran?
Freedom and democracy.
When do we want it?
Now. Now. Now.
Thank you. You will win. Bless you.