British House of Commons Speaker faces pressure to resign

Mr Hoyle broke with Commons convention by allowing the opposition Labour Party to amend the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) original motion calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Both the ruling Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party support Israel, but are also concerned about its actions in the Gaza Strip, and have argued that a ceasefire should be conditional.

The British House of Commons on February 21 passed the Labour Party’s “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” without a vote. Many Conservative and SNP MPs walked out of the chamber in protest. By precedent, the opposition party cannot change the motion of another party.

More than 50 members of the SNP and the ruling Conservative Party have signed a petition calling for Mr Hoyle to resign as Speaker, a role that requires neutrality in presiding over debates in the House of Commons. The number of signatories has increased from 33 on the evening of 21 February, showing that more MPs are unhappy with the Speaker.

SNP leader in the House of Commons, Stephen Flynn, said his party no longer had confidence in the role of the Speaker and called for a vote of no confidence in Mr Hoyle.

Mr Hoyle has apologised for his decision to allow Labour to amend the SNP motion, admitting he was wrong. The Speaker said he made the decision because of concerns for the safety of some MPs. Several Labour MPs who did not call for a ceasefire in Gaza have been threatened by protesters.

Conservative leader Penny Mordaunt said Mr Hoyle's decision undermined the credibility of the House of Commons.