Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has issued an unprecedented apology after a chaotic debate on Gaza descended into accusations of bias and parliamentary brinkmanship. MPs voted unanimously for a Labour motion calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, but only after Hoyle broke with long-standing precedent to allow the party's amendment to be debated and voted upon.
The decision infuriated Conservative and Scottish National Party (SNP) MPs, who accused the speaker of hijacking the debate for partisan purposes. Several Conservative MPs have tabled a motion of no confidence in Hoyle, while others have called on the government to oppose him at the general election. Hoyle defended his move, saying he wanted to allow a range of views but also cited threats to MPs' safety as a factor.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had personally lobbied Hoyle to allow the vote, after warnings that up to 100 Labour MPs were prepared to rebel and back an SNP motion for an immediate ceasefire unless the party offered its own alternative. At least two shadow cabinet ministers were reportedly ready to resign. Labour’s amendment, which called for a ceasefire conditional on Hamas ceasing violence against Israel, was enough to placate many rebels.
The government ultimately boycotted the vote, with Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt announcing that the Tories would not participate. Mordaunt launched a scathing attack on Hoyle, accusing him of undermining confidence in the Commons. However, she later accepted his apology. The SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, said the speaker had “hijacked the parliamentary process”. The Labour amendment passed unopposed after Conservative and SNP MPs walked out of the chamber.
Hoyle apologised to the House, stating: “It is clear that today did not show the house at its best. I will reflect on my part in that of course.” He added that he had tried to do what was right for all sides. Despite the apology, the row has raised questions about his future in the role, with a no-confidence motion signed by 33 MPs, mostly from the SNP.
