Recently, the Speaker of the House of Commons in the UK, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, faced criticism for allowing a debate on Gaza to take place in the chamber. This decision was seen as controversial by some, as traditionally, foreign policy matters are considered the responsibility of the government rather than the parliament. The Speaker's decision to permit the debate led to accusations of overstepping his role and interfering in matters beyond the purview of his position.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle has been the Speaker of the House of Commons since November 2019, succeeding John Bercow. Prior to becoming Speaker, Hoyle served as a Member of Parliament for Chorley since 1997. He has a background in local government, having served as a councillor in Chorley before entering national politics. As Speaker, Hoyle is responsible for maintaining order during debates, ensuring parliamentary rules are followed, and representing the House of Commons in its relations with the monarch and the House of Lords.