Speaker of the House of Commons: A look back at the past week
7 March - 13 March 2022
On Tuesday, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle granted a request to allow Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to give a statement to the House virtually.
Tuesday also marked International Women's Day, providing an opportunity to celebrate there being more women MPs in the House of Commons than ever before.
On Wednesday, Mr Speaker met with the Swedish Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Mikaela Kumlin Granit. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss issues of common concern, such as the situation in Ukraine and security of parliamentarians that threatens to erode democracy.
Mr Speaker also welcomed a delegation from the Republic of San Marino, including Captain Regents, HE Mr Francesco Mussoni and HE Mr Giacomo Simoncini.
On Wednesday, the Speaker chaired Prime Minister's Questions, as well as further business in the Chamber.
Mr Speaker also welcomed students from the Canadian Parliamentary Internship Programme, before they were due to experience PMQs.
During the week, the following business took place in the Chamber:
- Urgent Question: Ukraine: Urgent Refugee Applications
- Opposition Day
- Statement: Ukraine Update
- Statement: Russian Oil Import Ban
- Estimates Day
- Urgent Question: Refugees from Ukraine
- Statement: National Shipbuilding Strategy
- Backbench Business debate: International Women’s Day
The Speaker also presided over further business in the Chamber. Find out more about Chamber business which took place during the week.
Find out more about the Speaker's role in the Chamber.
8 March
Address from President Zelenskyy of Ukraine
The President of Ukraine marked an historic first when he addressed the House of Commons via video link to explain how his citizens had suffered from a conflict, they “did not want.”
MPs, peers and House staff gave President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a standing ovation after Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he had agreed to suspend formal business to allow the request because of “the exceptional and grave situation” in Ukraine.
“We have watched the situation unfolding in your country with increasing concern, but also with increasing admiration for the courage and fortitude displayed by you and your fellow Ukrainians,” he said.
MPs, peers and House staff fell silent as President Zelenskyy spoke in muted tones about the experiences of his citizens during “13 days of war.”
In that time, more than 50 children were killed, hospitals were hit with rockets and there was constant shelling. The people of Mariupol were left without food and water, and a Holocaust Memorial was targeted, he said.
“Ukraine was not looking for this war,” he said. “Ukrainians have not been looking to become big, but they have become big over the 13 days of this war.
“We are saving people despite having to fight one of the biggest armies in the world with its helicopters and rockets.”
Pledging that Ukraine would neither give up nor lose, he invoked Churchill by adding: “We will fight until the end, at sea and in the air.
“We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost. We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores and in the streets....
“We are looking for help from civilised countries, and we are thankful for this help.”
Afterwards, Mr Speaker said the House had made history by enabling the event and “was at its best when it was united on an issue that is of concern internationally.”
“I felt very proud to be Speaker that day – to see the House full and speaking as one in our condemnation of Russia,” he said.
“It was an honour to hear from President Zelenskyy whose calm, yet powerful message from the heart of a warzone was not only inspirational but affected us all.”
Watch here
Watch here
President Zelenskyy addresses Commons Chamber
President Zelenskyy addresses Commons Chamber
International Women's Day
Mr Speaker with women MPs for International Women's Day
Mr Speaker with women MPs for International Women's Day
9 March
Prime Ministers Questions - Click here to catch up with Wednesday 23rd February's PMQs
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
Speaker Hoyle
Speaker Hoyle
Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer
Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer
Opposition benches
Opposition benches
Meeting with Swedish Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Mikaela Kumlin Granit
The Speaker of the House of Commons met with H.E. Mikaela Kumlin Granit – Sweden’s Ambassador to the UK – to discuss issues of common concern such as the situation in Ukraine and security of parliamentarians that threatens to erode democracy.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle offered the Swedish Riksdag the opportunity to share knowledge on keeping MPs and Parliaments safe, and told Ms Kumlin Granit that the Parliamentary Security Department would be happy to organise exchange visits on the topic of dealing with threats against politicians.
Mr Speaker, a former chair of the Consultative Panel on Parliamentary Security, said he was particularly concerned about threats against MPs, and the impact they are having on staff and families.
"Women, especially, suffer the worst of the threats, and I worry that this type of aggression is putting off good parliamentarians from standing again or new candidates from standing in the first place," he told the ambassador.
"It is one of the reasons why security is at the top of my agenda as Speaker, and why I think it is so important to share our knowledge with likeminded parliaments, such as Sweden’s Riksdag, and their security departments."
Mr Speaker made the offer at his debut meeting with Her Excellency Ms Kumlin Granit, who has been ambassador to the UK since August 2021.
She welcomed the move, adding that the Riksdag was also concerned about security, and the impact of threats in eroding democracy.
Sir Lindsay hosted the get-together as part of his Speaker-led diplomacy to establish enduring ties between countries and parliamentarians.
Speaker with Swedish Ambassador
Speaker with Swedish Ambassador
Meeting with delegation from the Republic of San Marino
Welcoming Canadian Parliamentary Internship Programme students
Mr Speaker with students
Mr Speaker with students
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