26 February 2024 , 13:40
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Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle is facing calls to resign over his handling of the Gaza ceasefire debate - but most Mirror readers don't think he should go.
The 66-year-old, who has has been in politics for almost 30 years, came under fire after being accused of helping Keir Starmer dodge a revolt. Mr Starmer had faced the threat of frontbenchers resigning so they could back an SNP-led motion demanding an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza. The SNP had hoped for a straight vote on its motion - but that did not go according to plan.
The motion was approved but only after Sir Hoyle broke convention by selecting the opposition party's bid to amend the SNP motion on the Israel-Hamas war. His move sparked fury from the Conservative and SNP benches, who accused him of aiding the Labour Party.
Usually there is only a government amendment to an opposition motion, but Sir Lindsay said the topic was an important one and he wanted all sides to have a say, and the fact MPs are facing mouunting levels of abuse over their views on the war.
Since then, some 67 MPs - more than a tenth of the Commons - have signed a motion proposed by senior Conservative William Wragg expressing no confidence in the Speaker. Following the furore, we asked Should speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle resign? While 541 said yes he should, an overwhelming 936 said he should stand his ground.
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Home Secretary James Cleverly has also firmly backed Hoyle. The senior Cabinet minister told Sky News on Friday: "I think the Speaker has done a fantastic job. I think he's been a breath of fresh air compared with his predecessor.
"He made a mistake. He's apologised for the mistake. My view is that I'm supportive of him." Mr Cleverly said it was his personal view because the selection of the Speaker is "House business" rather than for Government ministers to decide.
'Hoyle is the only one in the place with an ounce of decency'
Many of you commented on our original stories. Here's just a selection of what some of you had to say:
I65: "No ... he made a mistake and allowed his fears for security to influence his decision."
State8: "If everyone in Parliament were to resign because they made a mistake we would have no-one left."
Seaswa98: "Leave the poor man alone he is doing a great job."
Dynsaesneg1945: "It was a misjudgement, and one which he now apparently acknowledges. But it seems to have been done with essentially good intentions, and in my book that doesn't amount to a resigning matter."
Speakasifind: "Hoyle is the only one in the place with an ounce of decency. A minor indiscretion, a lot worse has happened with Tory MPs over the last 14 YEARS and their shenanigans. Tories didn't have the numbers for the vote anyway. Think on. Tories never liked Hoyle anyway, because he puts them in there place."
Puffingoris: "It's very difficult to be impartial and even more difficult to please all the MPs all of the time."