In a dramatic intervention that has sent shockwaves through Westminster, veteran Labour MP Harriet Harman has revealed that her colleague Lucy Powell would face immediate suspension from the party if she were elected as the next Commons Speaker.
The bombshell disclosure came during a tense exchange on BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour, where Harman confirmed that Labour's rules would automatically trigger Powell's suspension should she succeed Sir Lindsay Hoyle.
The Speaker's Political Neutrality Dilemma
Harman explained the constitutional predicament facing any Labour MP considering the Speaker role: "The rules are absolutely clear - the moment a Labour MP becomes Speaker, they are automatically suspended from the party." She emphasised that this wasn't a matter of choice but a mandatory consequence of the position's requirement for political neutrality.
The former deputy leader, who herself served as acting Speaker between 2020 and 2021, stressed that any Labour MP elected to the role would immediately lose the party whip, effectively ending their party affiliation while in office.
Lucy Powell's Rising Profile
Lucy Powell, the Manchester Central MP who currently serves as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, has been widely tipped as a potential successor to Sir Lindsay Hoyle. Her name has featured prominently in Westminster speculation about future Speakers, given her respected position and experience in managing Commons business.
However, Harman's comments have thrown cold water on these suggestions, highlighting the significant personal and political cost any Labour MP would face in taking on the prestigious but politically isolating role.
Constitutional Convention vs Political Reality
The situation exposes the delicate balance between constitutional convention and political loyalty. While Speakers traditionally sever formal ties with their former parties, Harman's intervention underscores how this centuries-old tradition creates modern political complications.
The revelation comes at a sensitive time for Labour, with the party positioning itself as government-in-waiting while navigating the complex traditions and procedures of Parliament.
Harman's stark warning serves as both a reality check for ambitious MPs and a reminder of the Speaker's unique position at the heart of British democracy - a role that demands complete political independence, regardless of the personal consequences for those who occupy it.
