Speaker’s Statement

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

Thursday 12th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Before we come to business questions, I would like to say something about yesterday evening’s proceedings. The final Division of the day on the Third Reading of the Finance (No. 2) Bill was subject to intolerable delays in the voting Lobbies. This Parliament is meant to be respected around the world and should set an example of good behaviour. The behaviour in the Lobby last night involving a group of about half a dozen Government Members, including the Chief Whip and the Deputy Chief Whip, was totally unacceptable. I expect better from right hon. and hon. Members. If Members are asked to move swiftly through the Lobbies, they must do so. The fact that it took 22 minutes to get a vote through is beyond the pale.

I cannot believe this behaviour. It is absolutely not going to be accepted. The Serjeant at Arms lost his authority, because MPs said, “I am not moving,” and pretended to be ill—by 7 o’clock they were suddenly well again. Do we think that gives us good standing in the world? It does not. It is appalling. We should be ashamed. I hope that I will be getting letters from the people who were involved in that protest. If the Government cannot manage the business, perhaps they ought to go on a training exercise rather than disrupting the rules of the House.

I expect better from right hon. and hon. Members. If Members are asked to move swiftly, they must do so and respect the Serjeant. There are other ways in which Government Whips can manage the timings of business in the Chamber. To behave as they did was disrespectful to the House, to the occupant of the Chair—the Deputy Speaker was put in an impossible position—and to the office of the Serjeant at Arms. The Members involved should be ashamed.