No-nonsense new Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle signalled a break with the era of his predecessor John Bercow today as he warned party leaders returning to the Commons not to talk too much.
The direct Lancastrian took the chair after being re-elected unopposed, having been Speaker for just two days before Parliament was dissolved for the general election.
Mr Bercow, who stood down in October after 10 years, became known for allowing MPs to drone on for hours in the Commons.
But Sir Lindsay stamped his authority on he chamber this afternoon. After being ceremonially being dragged to the Speaker’s chair, to cheers from both sides of the house.
‘Before I call the Prime Minister can I just say we have a very busy day ahead of us,’ he said.
‘I therefore encourage short speeches from party leaders and discourage other members from trying to catch my eye.
The brisk Lancastrian took the chair after being re-elected unopposed, having been Speaker for just two days before Parliament was dissolved for the general election
He was ceremonially dragged to the Speaker’s chair by Labour’s Lisa Nandy and Tory Nigel Evans this afternoon
‘As much as I would like to bask in that, I think it is more important that we get people sworn in.
‘That is my commitment to you.’
The Speaker election marks the first day of the new Parliament, which welcomes 140 new MPs to the chamber – including 109 new Tories.
Many of them are part of his so called blue wall of new northern working class constituencies.
Seconding Sir Lindsay’s nomination, Labour’s Lisa Nandy said he represented ordinary voters.
The Wigan MP told the Commons: ‘What does it say about people in those communities, communities that have just sent shockwaves through the political system, many changing hands for the first time in 100 years.
‘What does it say that they see Parliament as a whole as a bastion of privilege where ordinary people like them cannot wield power?
‘So for all of us in this House whether we’ve won or we’ve lost we have done this place a service by electing someone to be our face, and our voice, who people – many miles distant from here – see as one of their own.’
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn urged Sir Lindsay, the MP for Chorley, to defend democracy which, the Labour leader warned, ‘is not a given’.
He told MPs: ‘Our democracy needs you, Mr Speaker, as a Speaker who will stand firm against abuse of power by the executive or by anybody else.
‘In doing so you’re not just defending the rights of this House but the rights of millions of people who put their faith in the democratic system to elect a Parliament and therefore a Government that is answerable to them.
‘Our rights and freedoms are always precious but also often precarious. Democracy is not a given, it’s something we have to extend and defend and I’m sure you in your role as Speaker-elect and, hopefully, Speaker very soon will do exactly that.’
Making his pitch to return to the post, Sir Lindsay said: ‘It’s been an absolute privilege to serve as deputy speaker for the last nine years and as Speaker for a full two days.’
He added: ‘It will be an honour to serve again in this Parliament but hopefully this time for a little longer.’
Sir Lindsay said the Speaker must be ‘trusted’, adding: ‘I’ve a proven track record of being impartial, independent and fair.
‘Allowing members to exercise their right to speak regardless of the length of service.’
Sir Lindsay joked he would have expected more cheers from newer MPs at this point.
He also said he understood how important it is for backbench MPs to hold the Government to account and promote causes dear to them.
Sir Lindsay concluded: ‘On that basis, I submit myself to the House as your Speaker and your champion, and ensuring my office is open to all.’
The next two days will be spent swearing in the 643 MPs who take their seats in Westminster.
Last night Mr Johnson and predecessor Theresa May celebrated with fresh-faced MPs, many of whom had travelled to Westminster from the North East after launching an assault on Labour’s Red Wall of traditional strongholds.
At a party on the House of Commons’ terrace to welcome the batch of new Tory MPs, the Prime Minister and his recent predecessor were pictured sharing a warm embrace.
Working-class Leave voters in previously unthinkable Tory seats such as Blythe Valley and Bishop Aukland swung behind the PM at the expense of Jeremy Corbyn, who resigned after leading his party to its worst defeat since the 1930s.
Ms May, whose spiral into political deadlock and eventual resignation was sparked by her disastrous election in 2017, appeared to enjoy the bitter sweet moment of Mr Johnson winning back the majority she had unsuccessfully gambled.

The mass of MPs stood behind Mr Johnson showed just how much his fortunes have changed with the PM now in control of 365 seats in the House of Commons

At a party on the House of Commons’ terrace to welcome the batch of new Tory MPs, the Prime Minister and his recent predecessor were pictured sharing a warm embrace