Someone’s in line for a wigging as Speaker’s hairpiece vanishes
THE Speaker’s wig has gone missing, possibly scuppering Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s plans to wear full ceremonial attire for tomorrow’s State Opening of Parliament.
Sir Lindsay, who was confirmed as Speaker of the House of Commons by MPS yesterday, set out his plans to wear the full-bottomed wig when he was elected to office last month.
However, an extensive search of the House of Commons has failed to track down the wig, last worn by Bernard Weatherill before he retired in 1992.
The habit of the Speaker wearing the wig in the chair then fell out of fashion after Betty Boothroyd, Lord Weatherill’s successor, declined to put it on.
The last known whereabouts of the horsehair ceremonial hairpiece was in 2000, when the Speaker, Michael Martin, declined the offer to wear it.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Sir Lindsay said yesterday: “There is no wig as yet. They offered it to Michael Martin and he said no. God knows where it went. It looks like it could be lost. The thing is if it has not been used since Michael Martin started – 2000 – I dread to think what condition it is in, probably moth-eaten, or maybe in a museum somewhere. We will wait and see.”
Sir Lindsay said he would wear the traditional robe and court dress for the State Opening. “I will have to wear what is available,” he said. Sir Lindsay made clear he wanted to bring back traditional dress to the role of Speaker after his predecessor John Bercow had deliberately dressed down in the chair.
Asked last month if he intended wearing the wig, Sir Lindsay told the BBC: “On traditional days, of course. You have to wear dress that is suitable.”
The return of wigs to the Commons chamber was heralded yesterday when John Benger, the Clerk of the House, wore his bench wig in his chair, placed before the Speakers’ chair.
In a bid to end Parliament’s “stuffy” image, Mr Bercow ruled in February 2017 that wigs would no longer be worn by officials in the Commons.
The fate of the Speaker’s wig might have gone to the grave with Lord Martin of Springburn, who quit as Speaker in 2009 and who died last year.
However, The Telegraph last night tracked down the original supplier of the Weatherill wig – Model Wigs in Borehamwood, Herts – which offered to supply a new full-bottomed wig to Sir Lindsay.
Harold Levy, who has made wigs since 1957, said: “I have got one in stock. I can get it to him no problem at all”, adding that he would supply a new one “with pleasure”.
The only condition was that Sir Lindsay had to pay the cost of it – £1,320 plus VAT.
Mr Levy supplied a new wig to Lord Weatherill when he became Speaker in 1983 and had washed and cleaned the same wig for four further Speakers.
Sir Lindsay was hailed by MPS as he was returned to the post unopposed at the start of the new Parliament yesterday. Making his pitch to return to the post, Sir Lindsay said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to serve as deputy speaker for the last nine years and as Speaker for a full two days.”
The MP for Chorley added: “It will be an honour to serve again in this Parliament but hopefully this time for a little longer.”
Sir Lindsay said the Speaker must be “trusted”, adding: “I’ve a proven track record of being impartial, independent and fair, allowing members to exercise their right to speak regardless of the length of service.”
Mr Speaker Hoyle knows when to be formal. He planned to resume the wearing of the full-bottomed wig for the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow. But when the Keeper of the Regalia looked in the wig cupboard, it was bare. Not a horsehair was to be found. It had apparently been in one piece, if unused, before Speaker Martin relinquished his burden and quit the House in 2009 by applying to be Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead. So if the wig was half-inched, whodunit? The Serjeant-at-arms may activate the force of 37 Doorkeepers and catch the miscreant. Otherwise, there is just time to buy a new one from suppliers in Borehamwood for £1,330. Perhaps a warm-hearted democrat might donate the sum. Wigs lend dignity and, after years of declining repute, Parliament needs all the dignity it can get.