Hoyle’s royal approval for flying the flag

FoR the first time in nearly 50 years, the Commonwealth day service in westminster abbey, attended by the Queen, the Prime Minister and faith leaders, has been cancelled.

But I’m told her Majesty is delighted that the Speaker, Sir Lindsay hoyle, is flying the flag for the Commonwealth, which she heads, in a special ceremony at the Commons.

Commonwealth day falls on the second Monday of March, so next week three soldiers will unfurl the Union flag, the Commonwealth flag and one to mark International women’s day, which is on the same day, in westminster’s New Palace Yard, the main entrance for official visitors.

The Speaker is a long-standing champion of the Commonwealth, unlike his predecessor John Bercow, who was a constant critic, and planned next week’s televised event, the first of its kind, even before the abbey service was cancelled due to the pandemic. Three 26ft flagpoles have been installed for the occasion.

hoyle’s determined to build stronger links with the Commonwealth, which will please a Government aiming to forge post-Brexit trade deals with the 53 other countries in the bloc. Glad to see the Speaker, unlike pipsqueak Bercow who tried to wreck Brexit, do his bit to help.

MEANWHILE, Bercow will not be able to enjoy his taxpayerfunded, gold-plated £1 million pension in peace. Tory MP andrew Bridgen has asked the house of Commons Commission to investigate Bercow’s pension entitlements. does the pompous windbag now regret accusing Bridgen of ‘sheer nastiness’ in a furious bust-up on his last day in the job?