YouSaid · the spoken record
Lindsay Hoyle
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On the record 2025–2026
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This is everything the corpus holds for Lindsay Hoyle. It is not everything they have said on the record.
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“For those who do not know, Tom knows every “Carry On” character and every “Carry On” film, so what I would say is, “Carry on, Clerk”.”
House of Commons29 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I would like to pay tribute to a long-standing member of the House administration, Sue Holt, who passed away last week. Sue worked in the House administration for 39 years and was known to many Members across both Houses for her work in the Interparliamentary Relations Office supporting international delegations. She was spirited, good humoured and hard working. She will be very much missed and our thoughts are with her family, friends and the team that she worked with. That is the sad news that I have to bring to the House. It would be remiss of me not to mark the fact that this is the final day that Tom Goldsmith, our current Clerk of the House, will sit at the Table. Tom, I know the whole House will join me in thanking you for your service and in wishing you all the very best in the future.”
House of Commons29 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Before we come to Prime Minister’s questions, let me welcome, in the Gallery, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the United States House of Representatives. May I also remind the House that this is the last attendance at the Table of Tom Goldsmith as Clerk of the House? Tom, we wish you well.”
House of Commons28 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“The hon. Member seems to put in a lot of questions and FOIs, so I am sure he will pursue the matter through the Table Office and take good advice, but I cannot continue the debate. I am not responsible for the answers from the Foreign Secretary. If the hon. Member were to sit with the Clerks to come up with another way, I am sure that we might get somebody to hear what he said. I am sure that the Front Benchers will have heard it as well.”
House of Commons27 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Mr Farron, I take points of order only from people who have asked questions. You did not ask a question—it must be one of the few times you have not managed to get a question in. If you are eager to raise a point of order, it will come after the urgent question. I am sure you will want to wait to do so.”
House of Commons27 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Debate is very important in this House, but how we treat each other matters. We should think about the language and the words we choose. In the end—this is what worries me—how we treat each other in here is replicated, as has been shown in the number of tweets that followed. It has been raised and I am sure that everybody can learn from what has happened. Please, I hope that we will consider what we say to each other and the tone we use.”
House of Commons26 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I did not really want to be dragged into this, but obviously I am going to be. Previous Governments have stated that a convention has developed whereby, before troops are committed, the House of Commons should have an opportunity to debate the matter. Personally, I think that an oral ministerial statement on this would have been helpful, but ultimately it is a decision for the Government. I will leave it at that and do not want to be dragged any further.”
House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“As I have been slightly drawn into this, may I back up the Home Affairs Committee Chair’s comments to the Leader of the House? I think there must be a problem with the diary secretary because I cannot get a meeting either—I have requested one because I have responsibility for Members’ security—so I understand that frustration. I am sure that the message will have gone back to the Department, and I hope that we can find some dates that will accommodate the Chair of the Committee and hopefully the Speaker as well.”
House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. Just to help everybody, I am aiming to finish this at 12 noon, because the business today is very important. It would be useful if Members helped each other. Shockat Adam will be a great example.”
House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“He combines them with an exceptionally clear style of communication, which I value greatly. I am not the only one who has benefited from that: he has put those skills to good use as co-author of the most widely used popular textbook about Parliament, “How Parliament Works”. I will always be grateful for the clear and authoritative advice Tom has provided, even on those rare occasions when we have disagreed with one another.”
House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“In fact, Tom hit the ground running as Clerk of the House, leading the House through the 2024 general election, with the largest turnover of MPs in living memory, prioritising safety on the estate and working alongside the director general to champion the bicameral procurement function and develop a more efficient model for the management of our estate. On a more personal note, it was immediately before Tom’s appointment as Clerk of the House when he led the Table Office that I first had the privilege of working closely alongside him. Prior to that, he had led the Committee Office and driven the setting up of the groundbreaking hybrid and virtual Committees during the covid pandemic. Tom has the procedural expertise, political nous and authority that are essential for a successful Clerk.”
House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Tom joined the House as an assistant Clerk via the civil service fast stream. In the years that followed, he held numerous roles across Select Committees and procedural offices, supporting the work of the Chamber. Tom has also been secretary to the House of Commons Commission and was the first head of governance in the Office of Governance. Those roles no doubt gave him a valuable insight into the way in which an at times unorthodox organisation runs; thankfully, that did not put him off applying for the role of Clerk of the House in the years that followed.”
House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Before I invite the Leader of the House to move the motion of congratulations to Tom Goldsmith, I would like to record my own brief tribute. Having joined the House in 1996, Tom has now served this place for 30 years. He has been a distinguished and authoritative presence at the Table over the past decade, including as Clerk of the House for the last three years, a role that has been the culmination of an illustrious career in the service of this House. Members may not know this, but Tom is from a proud east end family and was the first in his family to go to university. Throughout his career, he retained his connection with those roots, welcoming children from his former state school regularly to Parliament. On his appointment, he notably became the youngest Clerk of the House since John Hatsell in the 18th century.”
House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Absolutely—he said he learned about that in his Foreign Affairs Committee job. [ Laughter. ] It is not just parliamentary procedure that keeps Tom busy in this place. He has also generously shared his talent for playing jazz piano at many an event in Parliament over the years, including in the Speaker’s House, which I will sorely miss. I know that the House will join me in thanking Tom for contributing 30 years of outstanding public service. I wish him well and the very best in his future endeavours, as Tom goes on to write books about jazz. He is available to play, and—who knows?—this could be his new life: Tom now sings the blues.”
House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I thank all Members for their contributions about Tom. Some wonderful words have been said about him. As the Leader of the House mentioned, Eve Samson will take over as the next Clerk, and he is quite right that she is the first woman Clerk I have been able to appoint. The role goes back to 1363, so it is quite an amazing feat and we must not forget that. We wish Tom well. And I think Eve is learning to play the piano, in case we need another jazz pianist.”
House of Commons22 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I can confirm that the sub judice rule does not apply to judicial review proceedings that relate to a ministerial decision, as in this case. However, the answers given by the Secretary of State are a matter for him and not for the Chair, so I will not be drawn into that.”
House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Before we come to Prime Minister’s questions, may I extend a warm welcome to the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe and his cross-party delegation who are with us today? Colleagues will know that today marks the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, which claimed the lives of 116 children and 28 adults. As a child, I remember the shock that went across the nation when the news of the disaster broke, so last week it was very haunting to meet David Davies, the chairman of the Aberfan Memorial Charity and a survivor. Hearing his recollections of that horrific day was incredibly moving. I know that the whole House will join me in paying tribute to those who lost their lives, their families and the whole community in Aberfan and the surrounding area for their courageous spirit and dignity in the aftermath of that tragic event.”
House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I am sorry that he is having to take the flak for a Secretary of State who does not care about Members on this side or that side of the House—wherever. In the end, we are elected by our electorate to hear statements here, not via the media. Am I getting the message through, Minister? We have had this conversation once before. I am sorry that you are being set up as the patsy who has to deal with this ridiculous situation. I want us to learn. I was hoping that we had changed what happened previously. I thought this was a new beginning—well, today is certainly a bad one, isn’t it?”
House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“It is simply not good enough that the announcement was trailed in the press last night and announced all over the media this morning by the Secretary of State before it could be properly scrutinised in this House. It is not the first time that this has happened on this subject, and that is what makes it more shameful. If this was a leak, I am sure there will be a leak inquiry, or is it that the Department is deliberately briefing out to the media? The Guardian and the BBC were covering it last night, and it was on the radio. It seems that Ministers once again need reminding of the Government’s own ministerial code, which makes it clear that important policy announcements should be made first to this House, especially when we are sitting. There is no excuse. I hope the Minister is taking this on board.”
House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Before we come to the statement on Jackdaw, I have to say to the Minister that I am sorry that I have to address you on this matter rather than the Secretary of State. It is shameful that this announcement was not made to the House first, and it is an immense discourtesy to the House that the Secretary of State is not here to make the statement. I am sorry that Sky News is more important than Members on both sides. This treatment is appalling. The Minister will know that this issue has been of great interest to the House, as is evident from the many questions asked by hon. Members from all parts of the House, which have been asked and answered over recent months despite the concerns about a quasi-judicial process—so let me not hear that as an excuse.”
House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“It would be different if we had not had this conversation once before—you promised me previously that these comments would be noted. I am sorry that you have been put up when the Secretary of State cannot be bothered to come, Minister. I am sorry that Aberdeen is more important than the MPs who have been elected.”
House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Before we begin, I know that the thoughts of the House today will be with Helen Haines, the Member of Parliament for Indi in the Australian House of Representatives who has been critically injured following an incident outside her electoral office. The safety and security of elected officials is crucial, and must remain a focus for us all. My thoughts are with Helen, her family and our Australian colleagues and friends. On behalf of the House, I have written to the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Speaker Milton Dick, to express our sympathies.”
House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“57) Laura Kyrke-Smith, supported by Dr Danny Chambers, Anna Sabine, Michelle Welsh, Lewis Atkinson, Paulette Hamilton, Maya Ellis, Andy MacNae, Sojan Joseph, Sarah Hall, Dr Simon Opher and Jen Craft, presented a Bill to require the provision of mental health assessments in NHS antenatal care for the purpose of identifying those at risk of perinatal mental health problems and making referrals to appropriate support; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 13 November , and to be printed (Bill 1 59 ).”
House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 27 November , and to be printed (Bill 1 61 ). Utilities (Social Tariff) Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Graham Leadbitter, supported by Kirsty Blackman, Brendan O’Hara, Seamus Logan, Lara Bird, Dave Doogan and Chris Law, presented a Bill to require utility companies to provide social tariffs for energy, broadband and mobile bills to support customers who are disabled, elderly or on a low income; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 27 November , and to be printed (Bill 1 62 ). Perinatal Mental Health Assessments Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No.”
House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“57) Dawn Butler, supported by John McDonnell, Leigh Ingham, Dan Aldridge, Iqbal Mohamed, Dr Simon Opher, Wera Hobhouse, Emily Darlington, Clive Lewis, Lee Barron, Carla Denyer and Margaret Mullane, presented a Bill to make provision about a requirement for consent to generate a likeness of a person using, or with the assistance of, artificial intelligence; to make further provision relating to that requirement; to make provision about civil action in circumstances where that requirement is not met; to make provision about offences relating to the creating or dissemination of such likenesses; to make provision about duties on providers of artificial intelligence technology in relation to misuse of that technology to generate likenesses; and for connected purposes.”
House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“That is totally unacceptable. Whichever side of the House a Member is on, they are carrying out their duties on behalf of their constituents. I hope that the Government Front Benchers have heard the hon. Lady’s point of order. The message is going out loud and clear. If she does not get a reply very quickly, she should come and see me. There are other ways that we can find out why she has not had an answer. I say it once again: this it is not acceptable. Bills Presented Artificial Intelligence (Consent and Misuse) Bill Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No.”
House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. I think I have got the message. You are absolutely right, but I am not responsible for statements. Once again, I am sure that those on the Government Front Bench will have heard you.”
House of Commons19 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“No Member should fear carrying out their democratic duties. Sir David will always be remembered, and our thoughts are with his family and friends on this day.”
House of Commons14 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Before we come to Prime Minister’s questions, colleagues will know that tomorrow marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Sir David Amess, a dear friend to me and to so many across this House. He served in this House for 38 years, proudly representing his Southend West constituency, where he was tragically killed while carrying out his democratic duties. The deaths of both Sir David and our former colleague Jo Cox, along with the threats those in political life continue to receive, drive me every day to do whatever I can as Speaker to improve the security and safety of Members, their families and staff. This includes the important work being done by the Speaker’s Conference on the security of candidates, MPs and elections. It is incumbent on us all to help to stop the continuing climate of attacks on those in public life.”
House of Commons14 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. The right hon. Member has been here a long time. Please look at the Chair, rather than the person who is answering the question. These are the rules of the House—they are not my rules.”
House of Commons13 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. I know that the hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Douglas Lumsden) is a new Member, but his behaviour counts, just as everybody else’s does. I call the Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee.”
House of Commons13 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. Mr Farron is shaking his head at me. There is some peatland in Kent, so there is a link to the question. I do not need any help, and you shaking your head so violently will not change Sir Roger’s question.”
House of Commons13 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“We cannot continue the debate. I know that the hon. Lady will find many other ways in which she can seek an answer, but we will leave it there for now.”
House of Commons13 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. Secretary of State, please, I am trying to get your Back Benchers in. Obviously, you do not want to get the questions in, even if I do.”
House of Commons12 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I only know when Members personally contact me, which means I find it difficult to help and support. I think that this is not being handled well, and I wonder what we are going to do in the future. If Members have concerns, please let me know privately. Obviously, it is very hard to know without the list.”
House of Commons12 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Before we come to the Home Secretary’s statement, I note that Joshua Kerry has been charged with a number of offences, including the murder of Ann Widdecombe and engaging in conduct in preparation of acts of terrorism, including against the hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage). Those cases are therefore sub judice. I am granting a limited waiver so that Members can refer to the fact that those charges have been brought, and the way in which related matters have been handled by the police. However, Members should not discuss the details of those cases or speculate on the guilt or innocence of the individual while it is rightly being dealt with in the courts. I also say to the House that I have not been told which Members were on the list—I have had no information.”
House of Commons12 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. We need to be very careful about where we are going on motivation. We are creeping into what a court might decide, and we are not the court. Please can we steer a little bit away from that? We all want a prosecution. I want nothing to risk this case, because she was a friend to all.”
House of Commons12 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I gently say to the Home Secretary that it is much harder to read in a newspaper about which MPs have been targeted and named when we have no knowledge of that. That puts us all at a disadvantage, especially as we give health and wellbeing support as well as security. I think there is a gap that has not been closed.”
House of Commons12 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. That is quite serious, and I am getting a little bit fed up of this carrying on at the Dispatch Box. Ask a question and respect the answer, because I expect Ministers to listen to the questions—it works both ways. This is becoming a habit, and I do not want it to continue.”
House of Commons15 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. This is a question about cells. [ Interruption. ] Well, you kind of threw something in, and I do not think it was quite relevant, to be honest. Just because you think so, does not mean that I accept it. We really have to stick to the question. Personally, I would have thought this would have been better in topicals. I call the shadow Minister.”
House of Commons15 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. I think I have got the point. The hon. Gentleman is quite right; let us deal with the issues, and we will judge whether it was said sarcastically. Of course, he has never done such a thing himself—be careful about being in the greenhouse with a stone in hand! The hon. Gentleman is quite right to raise the issue of correspondence. Whether it is the Prime Minister or anybody else, I expect that there should be a reply ASAP. The point has been made, those on the Front Bench have heard it, and I am sure that in future replies will be forthcoming. I will leave it at that for now.”
House of Commons15 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. Can I just help Members who have been here a long time? Looking at the Minister is not how we do it; questions to the Minister must go through the Chair, because that is how we try to keep a balance. Some Members have only been here a few years, I know, but please try to make this work.”
House of Commons15 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Before we start questions, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the legendary Sir Billy Boston. He was a pioneer in the rugby world, switching codes from union to league, a record try scorer for Wigan, and the second highest all-time scorer of tries. He was a world cup winner for his country and the first ever rugby league player to receive a knighthood. He was known for the BBC documentary “The Rugby Codebreakers”. Because he was black he could not play for Wales or for Cardiff. He was an exile who had to come north. May that never happen again. I wish Billy peace in death.”
House of Commons3 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. I am struggling because we only get a short time for these questions. I think we should have an hour, and I hope somebody will reflect on that.”
House of Commons3 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. I am sorry, but the original question was about Palestine. What the hon. Member is saying is not relevant to that question. Let us move on.”
House of Commons3 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. May I remind Members that they are meant to stand up when asking a question? We are back to school; this is the first day of term. Let’s get some memory power!”
House of Commons3 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“There is something going wrong with the House. Can we please get back to remembering our courtesies to other Members when they are asking questions?”
House of Commons3 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“Order. I think I am being instructed on who sits where. Mr Perkins, when you came through the door, you walked directly into my line of sight to Perran Moon. It blocks my vision when you walk in front of another Member. I do not like being challenged on something when I am absolutely correct.”
House of Commons3 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“May I say to the Prime Minister that I admire his answering questions in detail, but my problem is I am not going to get through the list, and then we will both be in trouble with Back Benchers?”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“If there is more than one candidate in any election, the ballot will take place on Monday 14 September between 3 pm and 6 pm in the Aye Lobby. I remind Members that new rules in relation to campaigning for Select Committee Chair elections, which were proposed by the Procedure Committee, were endorsed by the House on 28 April 2026. A briefing note with more information will be made available from the Vote Office and online.”
House of Commons1 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗