Diane Abbott MP has been named ‘Mother of the House’

In looking at Diane Abbott’s new title, Alex Noel asks, who is your ‘mother of the house’ and as Christians, what does the role entail?

There is a tradition in Parliament, that in the lower of the two Houses - the Commons; the longest continuously-serving female MP is honoured with the title, ‘Mother of the House’. It isn’t an official role per se, but it is a firm acknowledgement of the experience she has acquired over the course of her tenure. Which, as the honour confers, is deserving of respect and recognition - bringing with it a certain authority, and privilege too.

Previously, it was Harriet Harman, who has now left the Commons. And so it passes to Diane Abbott - someone entirely fitting to hold the title in what is proving to be a groundbreaking new Parliament.