LONDON- On Tuesday, Britain’s lawmakers have re-elected Lindsay Hoyle from the opposition Labour Party as Speaker, as he promised to be fair and impartial in the role of a moderator. John Bercow, Hoyle’s predecessor has been accused of helping Brexit opponents and breaking convention.
The Speaker plays a key role in the Brexit debate and in the passing of laws for its implementation or delay. They are responsible with being the arbiter of procedural disputes and in determining the potential challenged to the plans that the government makes. Since 2017, with a lack of majority government, the rivals could challenge the plans of the ruling Conservatives.
After his 10 year period in office, Bercow stepped down after accusations of not adhering to the norms and showing preference to those looking to put an end to the government’s exit plans.
With the landslide majority win for the Conservatives last week, securing 80 seats in the House of Commons, Johnson now has more freedom to deliver his agenda through parliament and can reduce the influence of the Speaker over it.
“A speaker has to be trusted,” 62-year old Hoyle said, before two lawmakers carried out the parliamentary tradition of dragging him to the Speaker’s chair. “I have a proven track record of being impartial, independent and fair.”
Lisa Nandy, a fellow Labour lawmaker, has been tipped as a likely successor to Jeremy Corbyn and is all praises for Hoyle, ” We have done this place a service by electing someone to be our face and our voice, who people many miles distant from here, see as one of their own.”
A proud owner of many pets christened after famed British politicians, Hoyle even has a parrot called Boris who has been taught the Speaker’s phrase “Order, order”! In congratulating Hoyle, Johnson leading a chat of his uncanny election slogan of “Get Brexit Done” said, “I think even your parrot, Mr Speaker, would have been able to cite that one by now.”
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.
