Will Sir Lindsay reverse Bercow ban on lace?

WHEN John Bercow became House of Commons Speaker in 2009 he flaunted his woke credentials by jettisoning the post’s traditional court dress.

‘I think it is perfectly proper the Speaker should wear a business suit and have a simple and unfussy gown over that suit,’ he said.

Now, I am pleased to report, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, who has restored respect to the post after ten long years of pompous, preening Bercow, is to put the Speaker’s neckwear on display at Westminster.

Hoyle is in Honiton, Devon, today meeting Patricia Perryman who made the jabot, an intricately worked white lace ruffle.

Mrs Perryman, 84, spent two years making the original jabot for then Speaker Bernard Weatherill to wear at the State opening of Parliament.

It featured a rose, thistle, shamrock and daffodil on the top layer to represent the four nations of the UK, while the lower layer depicted a sprig of Honiton honeysuckle, two otters to represent the town’s river, and local landmark Dumpdon Hill.

Weatherill, a Savile Row master tailor, was so delighted he asked her to make matching cuffs.

Weatherill’s successors Betty Boothroyd and michael martin both wore the lace on State occasions. When John Bercow dispensed with it, it went on display at Honiton’s Allhallows museum.

now, Hoyle says: ‘It would be a proud moment if we could return this beautiful gift to its rightful place in Speaker’s House.’

And, great traditionalist that he is, I expect to see him wearing the Honiton lace at the next State opening of Parliament.