Caroline Nokes elected as deputy speaker of the House of Commons

Caroline Nokes, Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North, was elected to the post in a secret ballot of MPs. 

She is joined by Nusrat Ghani, Conservative MP for Sussex Weald, and Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South. 

Ms Nokes said: “It is a huge privilege to have been elected to serve parliament as one of the deputy speakers. It is a very different role for me, one in which I must now observe neutrality, and clearly it is for me to facilitate the debates of others rather than be an active part. However, I am very conscious that my first duty is, and always has been, to my constituents and this wonderful constituency. I will continue to work as hard as ever on their behalf.”

The speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle expressed his delight that for the first time ever he has an all-female and the most diverse line-up of deputy speakers. 

Caroline Nokes (Image: Contributed)

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The speaker said: “This Parliament is breaking more glass ceilings than ever before, with the biggest number of women MPs ever – and now an all-female team of deputies. 

“All three MPs are incredible politicians who are well-respected by this House, and I am looking forward to working with them.” 

Geoff Cooper was the Liberal Democrat candidate for Romsey and Southampton North at the General Election. 

He said: “Congratulations to Ms Nokes on securing the role of second deputy speaker of the House of Commons. I wish her all the best in her new duties. 

“I was however, a little surprised that Ms Nokes had put herself forward for the role. I did, perhaps naively, take her at her word when she said in her election victory speech, that she was determined to be a ‘pragmatic, sensible Conservative voice in Parliament’. Something that this new role will simply not allow her to be. 

“As deputy speaker her ability to operate as a constituency MP will be compromised. She will not be able to raise debate in the House of Commons, or vote on the issues of the day which matter to all of us. However, I am sure her office team will continue to rapidly respond to constituent emails on her behalf." 

Mr Cooper added: "Ms Nokes had her majority reduced from a notional 16,000 in 2019 to a little over 2,000 at the last General Election and some may see this move as an attempt to distance herself from the internal psychodrama that will almost certainly continue in the Conservative party for years to come. It may even be seen as an attempt to become speaker of the house, which would save her from standing in another General Election. 

“When the General Election was called, Ms Nokes spoke of the many things that she still needs to achieve as the MP for our constituency. However, her first action on returning to parliament appears to be an attempt to secure her seat and her own career, at the expense of her ability to represent our community.”