Serjeant at arms
The serjeant at arms is a senior official of the House of Commons responsible for maintaining order and security in the commons chamber. The role is one of the oldest in parliament, dating back to at least the 15th century. The serjeant remains a central figure in the House of Commons. The most visible duty […]
Mother of the House
The Mother of the House is an honorary title bestowed upon the woman who is the longest-serving female member of the House of Commons. The title holder is determined purely by their length of continuous service as an MP. The role is informal and carries no official duties or additional salary. It is the female […]
Leader of the House of Commons
The leader of the House of Commons is the government minister responsible for planning and managing the government’s legislative programme in the House of Commons. The role operates at the heart of the relationship between the executive and the legislature. The leader is a member of the government and sits in the cabinet. Their primary […]
Father of the House
The father of the House is an honorary title bestowed upon the male member of the House of Commons with the longest record of continuous service. The title holder is not elected but is determined purely by their length of unbroken service as an MP. While the role is largely informal and carries no additional […]
Baby of the House
The baby of the House is an informal title bestowed upon the youngest member of the House of Commons. The title holder is determined purely by their date of birth, and it is a term of convention rather than a formal office. Unlike the father of the House, who has the formal duty of presiding […]
Clerk of the House of Commons
The clerk of the House of Commons is the chief procedural adviser to the House and its most senior permanent official. Appointed by the monarch by letters patent, the clerk is a politically impartial figure responsible for advising the speaker and all MPs on the rules, practices, and privileges of the House. The role is […]
