Should the Speaker resign? A debate on Gaza turned into a day of chaos in the British parliament. Some MPs think the Speaker should be punished.
House of Commons meltdown over Gaza vote
Should the Speaker resign? A debate on Gaza turned into a day of chaos in the British parliament. Some MPs think the Speaker should be punished.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>
It was a Wednesday Sir Lindsay Hoyle will want to forget.
Hoyle is the SpeakerIn the UK, an MP who is chosen to keep order during debates in the House of Commons and chose which MPs can speak. of the House of CommonsThe democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament. , where MPsMembers of Parliament. MPs are elected to represent people in 650 different geographical areas. debate important issues. He never normally makes the headlines. But this week he is at the centre of Britain's political drama.
The House of Commons had met to debate the GazaThe smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt. conflict. The ConservativesA traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories. , the party in power right now, and the main opposition parties all supported a pause in the fighting. But they had different ideas about how far the pause should go.
On most days, the governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country. brings motionsFormal proposals for discussion. to ParliamentAn assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws. . But Wednesday was a day set aside for Scottish National PartyA political party founded in 1934 that wishes to ultimately make Scotland independent. It is the largest party in Scotland. (SNP) ideas. This means that the SNP's motionsFormal proposals for discussion. are debated in Parliament. Other opposition parties are not allowed to put changes to their motions, called amendmentsMinor changes to approve a piece of writing or proposed law, for example. , on the agenda.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>
Hoyle broke this traditionA custom or event that has been taking place for many years, often passed down from generation to generation. . He allowed a LabourBritain's main left-of-centre political party. amendment before the SNP motion.
Many MPs were very angry. They shouted at Hoyle. The government decided not to take part in the debate anymore, and the SNP were angry because they could not vote for their ideas exactly as they had written it.
Hoyle now faces calls to resignFormally give up your job.. His critics say he challenged the rules - and that this could lead to more rule-breaking in the future.
Others say this is all a big argument over nothing. Hoyle, they argue, simply wanted MPs to be able to discuss lots of options for the Gaza debate.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Should the Speaker resign?</h5>
Yes! Rules are rules. Nobody should be allowed to break them, at any time, for any reason. If Hoyle does not follow the rules, why should any politicianA person who works in politics. ?
No! Children are in danger in Gaza. Hoyle understood that MPs should do everything they can to call for a ceasefire. This is a lot of anger over nothing.
Speaker - In the UK, an MP who is chosen to keep order during debates in the House of Commons and chose which MPs can speak.
House of Commons - The democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament.
MPs - Members of Parliament. MPs are elected to represent people in 650 different geographical areas.
Gaza - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt.
Conservatives - A traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Motions - Formal proposals for discussion.
parliament - An assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws.
Scottish National Party - A political party founded in 1934 that wishes to ultimately make Scotland independent. It is the largest party in Scotland.
Amendments - Minor changes to approve a piece of writing or proposed law, for example.
Tradition - A custom or event that has been taking place for many years, often passed down from generation to generation.
Labour - Britain's main left-of-centre political party.
Resign - Formally give up your job.
Politician - A person who works in politics.
House of Commons meltdown over Gaza vote
Glossary
Speaker - In the UK, an MP who is chosen to keep order during debates in the House of Commons and chose which MPs can speak.
House of Commons - The democratically elected house of the UK Parliament. It consists of 650 Members of Parliament.
MPs - Members of Parliament. MPs are elected to represent people in 650 different geographical areas.
Gaza - The smaller of two Palestinian territories, home to two million people. It is located on the Mediterranean coast, bordered by Israel and Egypt.
Conservatives - A traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Motions - Formal proposals for discussion.
parliament - An assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws.
Scottish National Party - A political party founded in 1934 that wishes to ultimately make Scotland independent. It is the largest party in Scotland.
Amendments - Minor changes to approve a piece of writing or proposed law, for example.
Tradition - A custom or event that has been taking place for many years, often passed down from generation to generation.
Labour - Britain's main left-of-centre political party.
Resign - Formally give up your job.
Politician - A person who works in politics.