Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom) Michael Martin, also declined to wear the wig; moreover, he chose to simplify other aspects of the costume, doing away with the once customary buckled court shoes and silk stockings. His successor John Bercow abandoned traditional dress, wearing a plain black gown over his lounge suit when presiding. For ceremonial occasions such as the State Opening, the Speaker wears a black and gold robe with a train; previously, this was worn over court dress with a white waterfall cravat, but the present Speaker wears plain morning dress. Whilst presiding, the Speaker sits in a chair at the front of the
1951 Speaker of the British House of Commons election 1951 Speaker of the British House of Commons election The 1951 election of the Speaker of the House of Commons occurred on 31 October 1951, following the 1951 general election and the retirement of the previous Speaker Col Douglas Clifton Brown. The election resulted in the election of Conservative MP William Morrison. This was one of the few Speaker elections held in the 20th century in which there was more than one nominee (the others including 1971 and 1992), and the first contested election of Speaker since 10 April 1895. The election was conducted by means of a conventional parliamentary