Election to decide the next Speaker of the.......>

UK: Election to decide the next Speaker of the House of Commons to take place on

Nov 4. 

- Speaker will remain a crucial political position over coming months regarding

prospect for Brexit deal/no-deal/second referendum/early election.

- If new speaker is as activist in the role as Speaker Bercow has been, gov't

will find it just as hard to operate in the legislature. 

- Frontrunner is current deputy speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Lab). 'Mother of the

House' (longest sitting female MP) Harriet Harman (Lab) and deputy speaker Dame

Eleanor Laing (Con) have also announced candidacies. Speaker becomes independent

on gaining the Chair.

- New speaker unlikely to be make process easier for gov't/Brexiteers.

Opposition holds majority in the Commons and therefore will select candidate

they believe will be most willing to assist backbenchers' cause.