Following the UK General Election on July 4, new Members of Parliament arrived at Parliament today, July 9, to take the oath of office as new representatives of their constituents.
This week will see the induction of a record 335 new Members of Parliament as Labour declared a resounding victory over the Conservative Party and Sir Keir Starmer assumed the position of Prime Minister.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle, a Member of Parliament for Chorley, was re-elected as the nation welcomed new delegates for their constituency.
In addition to representing Chorley, the lawmaker also serves as Speaker of the House, a position he has had since the 2019 election.
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When a new government is sworn in, the current speaker retains their position if they want to return to the Commons.
Hoyle thanked the Chorley constituents immediately in his first speech to the newly formed Commons, as he wished to continue in the role.
Speaking to the assembly, he started “First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to the people of Chorley for electing me back to this House and allowing me to run for Speaker once more.
Serving the people of Chorley is an honor, as I have done unwaveringly for the past 44 years as their local authority’s council member and, for the past 27 years, as their member of parliament.
It was an honor to represent this House at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s lying in state, to give the new King’s speech in Westminster Hall, and to be present at his coronation.
This position requires perseverance. I have already served as a speaker for two monarchs, three prime ministers, and one Jim Shannon.
If MPs were to re-elect Sir Lindsay as speaker, he pledged to remain “fair, impartial, and independent.”
Sir Lindsay re-nominated himself for the position, citing his father Doug’s death in April as well as the “honor” of serving his constituents in Chorley.
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“It’s been an absolute privilege to serve this House as the 158th speaker,” he said in the Commons. Four and a half years have indeed gone by quickly.
I’ve never taken the chair’s authority lightly or for granted because it comes with a lot of responsibility.
I have learned from experience that decisions have repercussions, but wisdom also comes with experience, and
if I am re-elected, I will follow that wisdom in maintaining my independence, impartiality, and fairness.
