Tuesday Volume 669 17 December 2019 No. 1 HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) Tuesday 17 December 2019 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2019 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT IN THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FIFTY-EIGHTH PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND [WHICH OPENED 17 DECEMBER 2019] SIXTY-EIGHTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II SIXTH SERIES VOLUME 669 FIRST FIRST VOLUME OF SESSION 2019-2020 House of Commons Election of Speaker Tuesday 17 December 2019 Sir Peter Bottomley (in the Chair): Under the provisions of Standing Order No. 1A, I am now required to ascertain whether Sir Lindsay Hoyle is willing to be The House met at half-past Two o’clock chosen as Speaker. The House met on the first day of this Parliament, pursuant to Proclamation. JOHN BENGER, Clerk of the House of Commons, SARAH DAVIES, Clerk Assistant, and 2.48 pm COLIN LEE, Principal Clerk of the Table Office, attended in the House, and the other Clerks attended, according to Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley) (Ind): First, I would like their duty. to thank the constituents of Chorley for allowing me to put myself forward as Speaker, and I would also like to SIR RICHARD HEATON, Deputy Clerk of the Crown in welcome all the new Members to the House. May I offer Chancery in Great Britain, delivered to the said JOHN BENGER many congratulations to you on your new role as Father a book containing a list of the Members returned to serve of the House, Sir Peter? Of course, this is nothing new in this Parliament. to your family; as you know, you have great history in SIR PETER BOTTOMLEY, the Member for Worthing West, this Room. You have served this place and your constituents took the Chair (Standing Order No. 1). for 44 and a half years—it just goes to show all the newcomers that this really can be a job for life—[Laughter.] MESSAGE TO ATTEND THE LORDS And I do not think this is the end just yet. COMMISSIONERS It has been an absolute privilege to serve as a Deputy Message to attend the Lords Commissioners delivered Speaker for the past nine years and as Speaker for a full by the Lady Usher of the Black Rod. two days; I have to say that that made the election pretty The House went up to hear the Commission for opening easy. Of course, Parliament was dissolved last month and holding the Parliament, and the Lords Commissioners and it would be an honour to serve again in this directed the House to proceed to the Election of a Speaker Parliament—I hope that this time it would be for a little and to present the Speaker-Elect in the House of Peers longer. for the Royal Approbation. As I have said before, a Speaker has to be trusted, and The House returned. I believe I was trusted as Deputy Speaker. I have a proven track record of being impartial, independent and fair, allowing Members to exercise their right to speak regardless of the length of their service. [Interruption.] I would have thought the new MPs would have given me a bit of a boost on that—do not let those who have been here a lot longer start dictating already! Having served on the Back Benches for 13 years myself, I understand how important it is for Back Benchers to be able to hold the Government to account and to promote the causes that are dear to them. On that basis, I submit myself to the House as your Speaker and your champion. I will ensure that my office is open to all. 3 Election of Speaker 17 DECEMBER 2019 Election of Speaker 4 2.50 pm very long time that things are not working for them. Just let that sink in for a moment: “I can’t believe that Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): I beg to move, That he was allowed to do it.” What does it say about how Sir Lindsay Hoyle do take the Chair of this House as people feel in those communities—communities that Speaker. have just sent shock waves through the political system, I am delighted to propose someone who has been a many changing hands for the first time in 100 years? great friend, not just to me but for many of us from all What does it say that they see Parliament as a whole as parts of the House. When I arrived in this place nearly a bastion of privilege, where ordinary people like them 10 years ago as a newly elected MP, it was a daunting cannot wield power? experience. For those of us who have not spent most of All of us in the House, whether we have won or lost, our lives in buildings like these, it can be incredibly have done this place a service by electing to be our face overwhelming. As the former Member for North West and our voice someone who people many miles distant Durham, Laura Pidcock, said when she arrived, this from here see as one of their own. Many of us in this place reeks of privilege. Finding our confidence and our place have known for some time that the system is not voice for our constituents takes practice and time, but it working. I have had those conversations in the Division also takes friendship and support from other people. Lobby and behind closed doors with Members of It should be of comfort to all new Members of this Parliament from all political parties. We can feel the House to know that they will find a great friend in our ground crumbling beneath our feet. We have seen it and Speaker. With his typical Lancashire warmth, Members we have felt it, and we must give voice to it. That is why will always find his door open for a mug of Yorkshire I am relieved, proud and honoured to propose that tea—[Interruption]—and, of course, a Hobnob. A few Sir Lindsay Hoyle takes the Chair today. years ago I was told the story of when Lindsay arrived Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 1A), unannounced, as he often does, in another MP’s office. That Sir Lindsay Hoyle do take the Chair of this House He sat down and said, “Right, put the kettle on then.” as Speaker. “Yorkshire tea?”said the MP.“Absolutely,”said Lindsay, Question put and agreed to. with enthusiasm, adding, “There are only two good SIR PETER BOTTOMLEY left the Chair, and SIR LINDSAY things about Yorkshire: the tea and the M62 taking you HOYLE was conducted to the Chair by LISA NANDY and back to Lancashire.” [Laughter.] If any Yorkshire MPs MR NIGEL EVANS. would like to change their minds, now is the time, but I am sure they will not, because above all else Lindsay has Mr Speaker-Elect (standing on the upper step): Before always been a fair and non-partisan Deputy Speaker, I take the Chair as Speaker-Elect, I wish first to thank even to those who hail from God’s own country. He the House for the honour that it has again bestowed knows that to privilege some voices over others is to upon me. I am aware that it is the greatest honour it can silence people in our communities up and down the give to any of its Members. I pray that I shall justify its country. continuing confidence and I propose to do all within my Lindsay can take his lack of partisanship a little bit power to preserve and to cherish its best traditions. too far. In 2017, he asked me to come and launch his The Speaker-Elect sat down in the Chair and the Mace general election campaign in what was then his marginal was placed upon the Table. constituency of Chorley.It is one junction on the motorway from Wigan to Chorley.I was driving down the motorway Mr Speaker-Elect: Before I call the Prime Minister, I and I started to see these enormous billboards looming just say that we have a very busy day ahead of us, with up out of the distance: great big blue billboards saying, further ceremony in the House of Lords and most “For a strong and stable Chorley”. I started to panic returning hon. Members having to be sworn in. I therefore and thought, “My God, they are targeting this place. encourage short speeches from party leaders and discourage Lindsay hasn’t got a hope. I have to get there, motivate other Members from seeking to catch my eye. As much his supporters and get people out.” Then, I looked as I would like to bask, it is more important to get Members closer, and on these billboards was Lindsay’s face: “Vote sworn in. That is my commitment to the House. Lindsay Hoyle for a strong and stable Chorley”. I think the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) will 2.57 pm be pleased to have inspired such mischief. That slogan may not have worked out so well for the other side, but The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson): Mr Speaker-Elect, it certainly worked out well for Lindsay, who was returned I am sure that the whole House will join me in sending to this place and became Deputy Speaker again. condolences to the families and friends of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones, who were murdered in the terrorist Lindsay has always made the effort to work with attack near London Bridge during the election campaign.