Lindsay Hoyle’s justification for tearing up convention on the Gaza vote was that he had become worried for MPs’ safety and was trying to give members the widest range of options to express their view. It didn’t work out that way, as he acknowledged last night, and the Speaker will spend today in private meetings with the individuals concerned. Some of them showed signs of wanting to dampen the row down: Commons leader Penny Mordaunt, for instance, said she was grateful that he was reflecting on what had happened, adding: ‘You are our Speaker and we wish you to defend the rights of all Members of this House.’
Others were less positive: SNP Westminster group leader Stephen Flynn said he would take a lot of convincing to change his mind that Hoyle’s position as Speaker had become untenable. There will be plenty more drama in the Commons today, not least because it is the Thursday business statement, when MPs have a chance to air their concerns on a range of issues relating to the business in the House.
Hoyle’s well-meaning attempt to help MPs has unwittingly offered an incentive to campaigners
It’s easy to dismiss last night’s row in the Commons as MPs making themselves look ridiculous.
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