Speaker news: Lookback at the week commencing 9 September 2024

Speaker in the Chair

On Monday 9 September, business in the Chamber started with Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Education.  On Wednesday, the Speaker chaired Prime Minister’s Questions – an opportunity for opposition parties and backbenchers to hold the government to account. On Thursday, the House rose for conference recess.

Behind the Speaker’s Chair

At the start of the proceedings on Thursday, the Speaker paid to tribute to the Speaker’s Chaplain, the Venerable Patricia Hillas, who is due to be leaving her role here in Parliament and soon to become the next Bishop of Sodor and Man. Also, to Terry Wiggins MBE, House of Commons sous chef, who is retiring after 50 years of service to Parliament. Watch the full tributes on Parliamentlive.tv

Beyond the Speaker’s Chair

This week the Speaker opened the 6th UK Overseas Territories Forum on oversight of public finances and good governance. The multilateral forum brought together delegates from Overseas Territories, Crown Dependencies, Devolved Legislatures and UK Parliament, to work with colleagues – including those from the UK National Audit Office. Delegates had the chance to share experiences of parliamentary systems, managing resources and planning for the future.

The Speaker met with Members of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly - the Hon. Leona Vidal Roberts and the Hon. Mark Pollard in Speaker's House. They discussed the ongoing importance of diversifying their economy, the impact of climate change on the islands and the growth of tourism following COVID.

On Tuesday 10 September, the flag of Gibraltar was up in New Palace Yard on the Speaker’s flag poles to mark Gibraltar Day. On Sunday 15 September, the flag of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was also flying to mark the UN’s International Day of Democracy.