Is Bercow’s replacement as speaker a cause for concern for ministers?

The appointment of Lindsay Hoyle was designed to ease tension in the Commons, but he’s nobody’s poodle, says Sean O'Grady

(PA)

One of the more curious parliamentary trends in recent months has been the increasing animosity between the speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, and the government. Although electing Hoyle last November to replace John Bercow was designed to reserve relations and ease tensions, Hoyle is proving to be nobody’s poodle. As a popular figure on all sides with no pretensions and a man of the world, he asserts the rights of the house with arguably more authority than his predecessor. He is having to do so more often.  

The speaker seems to have particular problems with the prime minister and with health and social care secretary, and his annoyance turned to a mild fury when the news about the “rule of six” was released before the Commons got to hear of it. This undeniably important story, affecting the lives of so many of the constituents of MPs representing English seats wasn’t even unveiled at a Downing Street press conference or in a Department of Health Social Care media statement. Rather it was scooped by ITV’s political editor Robert Peston, on Twitter of all places. Prompted by points of order by Tory MP Desmond Swayne and by Matt Hancock’s Labour shadow, Jonathan Ashworth, the speaker made little attempt to disguise his anger, or the potential retribution.

“It was all over Twitter as this was going on. Obviously somebody decided to tell the media rather than this house,” he said. “What I would say is that I expect the secretary of state to apologise to members and make sure that this chamber knows first. He was fully aware – fully aware – of what was  going to be said later. Let me say that if this minister wants to run this chamber ragged, I can assure you now that I am sure an urgent question every day might just begin to run him ragged.”