The number of MPs calling for Sir Lindsay Hoyle to go has now passed 55.
Dozens of parliamentarians have signed a motion of no confidence in the Speaker over his handling of yesterday’s Gaza ceasefire debate.
It leaves Sir Lindsay fighting for his job, with one Government minister describing his position as “difficult”.
The no-confidence motion is non-binding and not part of any formal process.
However, in this case, that does not matter. The fact that MPs are signing it is enough to pile the pressure on Sir Lindsay because it shows in plain and simple terms the scale of the revolt against him.
ANTI-HOYLE
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn – who hasn’t signed the motion – said yesterday that he would take significant convincing that the Speaker’s position was “not now intolerable”.
Danny Kruger said his decision to sign was not “personal”, aiming primarily at Sir Keir Starmer. He claimed both Sir Lindsay and the Labour leader had shown “weakness and partisanship yesterday”.
Lee Anderson, who has signed the motion, said Sir Lindsay had “let himself down”. “I think, personally, he’s probably been bullied and cajoled into this, had too much pressure,” he said.
Minister Maria Caulfield said Sir Lindsay’s handling of yesterday’s debate had “dented” her confidence in him, describing his position as Commons Speaker as “difficult”. She has not signed the motion.
PRO-HOYLE
Labour frontbencher Pat McFadden said there was “no reason” why Sir Lindsay’s position should be under threat, as he “acted in good faith”.
Ben Wallace, the former defence secretary, said Sir Lindsay has his “full support”.
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith said he was against removing Sir Lindsay from his role as Commons Speaker. “Personally, I am not after getting the Speaker out and his apology showed just how much pressure he had been under,” he said.
Here is the full list of MPs who have signed a motion of no confidence in the Speaker:
Conservative (33)
William Wragg, Hazel Grove
Gary Sambrook, Birmingham Northfield
Jill Mortimer, Hartlepool
John Stevenson, Carlisle
Kieran Mullan, Crewe and Nantwich
Anthony Mangnall, Totnes
Sir James Duddridge, Rochford and Southend East
Jo Gideon, Stoke-on-Trent Central
Chris Green, Bolton West
Bob Blackman, Harrow East
Tom Randall, Gedling
Jonathan Lord, Woking
Karl McCartney, Lincoln