The new Speaker

Congratulations to Sir Lindsay Hoyle on becoming First Commoner of the Land, only the 35th Speaker of the Commons since the 1707 Act of Union. A Lancastrian from a political family, he is the third Labour Speaker out of the last four since Betty Boothroyd took up the post in 1992. The most recent occupant, John Bercow, though a Conservative, was installed largely by the votes of Labour MPS. The party affiliation of the Speaker should not matter, however, because they are supposed to leave that behind when they are ceremoniously dragged to the chair as though reluctant to take up a post which in the past has proved dangerous.

Many Speakers, including some of the best, have come from the main opposition party. Usually, however, a government has already been formed when a new Speaker is elected (or re-elected) at the beginning of each parliament. This drawn-out procedure, taking place on the eve of a general election, seemed somewhat premature. Who knows who will be in office after December 12?

Why did MPS not wait until the new parliament is summoned next month before making their choice? Mr Speaker Bercow’s retirement on October 31, after all, was not intended to coincide with the end of the current parliament, but with the date of Brexit.

Dozens of MPS who voted for Sir Lindsay may be retiring, others will be defeated and scores more will be arriving who have little clue who he is. Indeed, some 80 MPS who may be leaving or were out on the election stump, did not vote at all.

Sir Lindsay has only one day in the chair before presiding over the dissolution of Parliament, which must be a first. We wish him well when it returns.