What's happening?

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.

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.

Find out more

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. Now some think he should resignFormally give up your job. for not following the rules.

Should the Speaker resign?

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.