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The new Speaker vowed to be “impartial and fair” as Parliament returned this week. Sir Lindsay said: “A speaker has to be trusted. I have a proven track record of being impartial, independent and fair.” He then started his new role with two MPs carrying out the parliamentary tradition of dragging him to the Speaker’s chair.

The Speaker is the arbiter of procedural disputes in the Commons, parliament’s lower chamber, and determines which potential challenges to the government’s plans are allowed. Due to a lack of majority government since 2017, rivals had more power to challenge the Conservatives’ plans in Parliament. Mr Bercow, who stood down in October after 10 years, was accused by some of breaking long-accepted norms and favouring those who wanted to stop the government’s Brexit plans. But last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservatives won a large majority of 80 in the House of Commons, giving him the freedom to push his agenda through parliament much more easily, with the Speaker now having less influence over it.

Lindsay Hoyle has vowed to be more impartial

Voters were clear with their feelings towards the new Speaker

Readers were asked whether they thought Sir Lindsay would be more impartial than Mr Bercow as Speaker between 4.37pm and 9.30pm today. Out of the 5,224 people who voted in the poll, a whopping 4,895 (94 percent) said “yes”. Only 124 people (two percent) did not think so. And 205 people (four percent) did not know. READ MORE: Brexit day Big Ben chime to happen as MPs seek to reverse Bercow ban

The Speaker is the arbiter of procedural disputes in the Commons

Many readers also blasted Mr Bercow while heaping praise on his successor. One person said: “Hoyle is a breath of fresh air who will hopefully eradicate the rank stench left by the previous incumbent.” Another reader added: “Nobody could be less impartial than Bercow - but having seen Lindsay Hoyle many times over the years as the Speakers Deputy I have no doubts at all he will prove himself to be a fine Speaker - and completely impartial.” And a third person simply said: “I doubt anyone could be more biased than Bercow.” DON'T MISS

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Mr Hoyle was called "a breath of fresh air" as Speaker

Sir Lindsay was first elected in November just before parliament was dissolved for the five-week general election campaign. He had been deputy speaker since 2010 and an MP for Chorley, Lancashire, since 1997. The 62-year-old ran his own textile printing business before entering parliament. His father, Doug, was also a Labour member of parliament.

John Bercow stepped down as Speaker in October

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