History of the Speaker of the House of Commons

[MrSpeaker1995]

Micheal was a big joke, Boothroyd meant business and Bercow is not too bad but we could do with one like boothroyd really

[Wraithdagger]

Boothroyd is the boss. :)

[dinyar65]

We Indians have taken this institution of 'Speaker' of the House of Commons from the British Constitution. The Speaker of the House of Commons retires from Party Politics and eventually from politics. This matter of constitutional convention is not followed by their counter-parts in India and we see our speakers becoming ministers and even forming new parties after they relinquish this post.

[weatherallc05]

@TheIdentCritic so insults used as personal attacks are not acceptable? can you tell me what it means by "naming" a member

[324wilson]

I wish we still had Betty Boothroyd as the speaker!

[jsrosa1282]

I heard that Madame Speaker Boothroyd is seeing famed actress Patricia Routledge (of Keeping Up Appearances) fame. Is that a fact?

[singsingsing22]

what does it mean to "name" a member?

[Medeasbiggestfan]

It's a form of reprimand as MPs are not normally referred to by name in the chamber. By naming them, their misbehaviour is recorded in Hansard.

There is a video of this procedure in practise at v=USoZ1f_FiOw

[Popperite]

@singsingsing22 Nothing much good, I suppose....

[ednuttah]

@singsingsing22 You are not supposed to use names in the House Of Commons, it's an historic custom from Charles 1 reign. Everyone is either RH gentleman or RH lady.

[MTheChequeGuy]

Betty Boothroyd was always a pistol - that's what I missed when she left office. She never took crap from anyone! :-)

[knight7fox2]

wow! that women!

[vbdrummer0]

What was Speaker Boothroyd going off about? There must be context that makes sense.

[Medeasbiggestfan]

It was over a Point of Order. You can read what happened in Hansard, look at column 629 for 15 June 1994.

[vbdrummer0]

Ah, thanks for the quick reply. It's amusing how much Hansard tames the tone of debate in its transcripts. I don't suppose you'd happen to know where there's a video of Baroness Hayman's election as Lord Speaker, would you? I know there's one on iPlayer, but I'm in the States and can't view it.

[singsingsing22]

wow i like Betty Boothroyd!

[zaztec]

holy shit! boothroyd going absolutely nuts!

[gagothesith]

... and that is how firm the Speaker should be.

So unlike Martin. (And spare us the excuses about it being all about elitist contempt for his background.)

[lector0003]

I agree. I don't care if he is Scottish .. as long as he does his job well. I am pretty sure most MPs are the same.

He simply never had a strong comand.