Speaker Hoyle Announcement, a breath of fresh air.

Probably not of much interest but here goes.

After PMQ's today Speaker Hoyle made an Announcement that is a breath of fresh air to the role of Speaker but also denotes how different a Speaker he will be to Bercow. Thank goodness.

Lyndsey Hoyle has from day one shown respect for his position and staff by his attitude, non bias, not shouting or belittling MP's nor by making ' himself ' the center of attention.

He has introduced a ' new procedure' which gives Commons officials the power to raise a protest against rulings which they believe breach the House’s rulebook. He is showing ' Respect not Contempt' towards his position and that of his staff.

His Announcement:-

“As speaker of the House, I am committed to transparency, but I am also mindful that frank advice must be protected confidentially. To balance these principles, I have written to the clerk of the House to establish a new procedure modelling on the power of accounting officers to seek ministerial direction. The procedure will apply if I take a decision as speaker which the clerk of the House considers comprises a substantial breach of standing orders or a departure form longstanding convention without appropriate authorisation from the House itself. In such a case, the clerk of the House will be empowered to lay a statement of his views in the library and I will always make the House aware that this has been done. '

It may not be an earth shattering moment but it is a far cry from the days of the Bercow way of handling the role of Speaker. Pity Lyndsey Hoyle had not been Speaker for years as there probably would have been a totally different outcome to the Dame Laura Cox’s report into the Bullying and Harassment of House of Commons staff, possibly there would not have been a report required who knows.