Speaker News: Lookback at the week commencing 15 July 2024

Swearing in 

On Tuesday 16 July, the Speaker opened the final Chamber session for MPs to have the opportunity swear in prior to State Opening. 

State Opening

At 11.25am on Wednesday 17 July, the Speaker of the House of Commons took to the Chair in the Chamber. Along with MPs, he awaited the arrival of Black Rod to bang on the door and summon the Speaker, Prime Minister and MPs to the House of Lords to hear His Majesty the King deliver the King’s Speech. 

View behind the scenes of the Speakers preparations for State Opening here.

On return from the hearing the King’s Speech, the Speaker suspended the House until 2.30pm before starting the first of five sitting days of debating the King’s Speech.

King’s Speech debates 

For five sitting days, the Speaker along with the interim Deputy Speakers, will Chair the opportunity for MPs in the House of Commons to debate key topics from the King’s Speech. This week's topics for debate included foreign affairs and defence, planning, the greenbelt and rural affairs.