CONSIDERING the complex state of politics in this country today, I paused to wonder how faux was the "dragging" to the chair of the Speaker of the House of Commons of Sir Lindsay Hoyle ("New voice of the Commons", The Herald, November 5). It is understood that the display of unwillingness comes traditionally from the time when the Speaker communicated the views of the Commons to the monarch and if the monarch found these views not to his or her taste, then an early demise of the Speaker could follow.

Clearly Sir Lindsay's reluctance on this occasion is not attributable to fear of the Queen. Could it, however, be occasioned by apprehension concerning the make-up of the House of Commons after the December General Election? In all probability he will be faced with another hung House of Commons, full of new MPs, unfamiliar with the Commons' rules and testing the patience of the Speaker. In a condition of being hung, the Commons will be incapable of doing anything of significance and, as a result, occasioning frustration not only within the world of politics, but also in the country at large. While no one knows for certain what will unfold after the General Election, Sir Lindsay could be faced with Boris Johnson, as Prime Minister, struggling against determined opposition to put the legislative touches to his deal with the European Union. Perhaps, there might be Jeremy Corbyn, as Prime Minister, seeking to push through contentious socialist policies of historic proportions. There could be the LibDems, reinforced by the results of the General Election, ramping up their objective of withdrawing the notice under Article 50. What is for certain is that there is little likelihood of the SNP turning down the volume on Indyref 2.

The Queen is supposed to have opined to Boris Johnson when he took up the job of Prime Minister: why would anyone want to take up the job?

There are some, given the possible outcomes of the General Election, who may be wondering about Sir Lindsay and his new job. Perhaps, his "dragging" to the chair may have been more than symbolic and, in fact, be indicative that he is already wondering what he might be taking on.

Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.

ONLY 37 trolling days until the next hung parliament.

John Dunlop, Ayr.

IN respect of the new Commons Speaker, the influence he may wield and his ability to civilise members’ behaviour in the debating chamber, is the time not ripe for some form of genuinely punitive measure to be allowed to be taken against persistently obnoxious or overly strident MPs?

Since time immemorial, the hackneyed old appeal for “Order! Order!” followed by some erudite, pseudo-comical, Jeevesian rebuke has brought about little if any substantial change.

A class of five-year-olds soon learns that if misbehaviour is not swiftly addressed by some clear, appropriate and fair penalty, then the incentive to behave is nullified. Such is human nature.

The veracity of a comparison between MPs and five-year-olds I leave to Herald readers’ own judgement.

Gerard McCulloch, Saltcoats.

READING your Opinion Matrix article “MPs quitting politics due to abuse” (The Herald, November 4), I was reminded of a passage in Roy Jenkins's seminal biography of Winston Churchill.

Chapter 20 relates to Churchill seeking re-election in 1922 as the MP for Dundee but was too ill in the early stages of the campaign to take part.

Being incapacitated, his wife Clementine took his place at public meetings in Dundee for some days until he arrived. General Spears, an escort, was there to note her reception at a meeting. “ Clemmie appeared with a string of pearls,” the General recorded on November 7 .“ The women spat on her”.

He added: “Clemmie’s bearing was magnificent-like an aristocrat going to the guillotine in a tumbril.”

I feel that the recent very bad behaviour in parliament displayed by our elected members is bound to be reflected among the less intelligent in the UK public. Our MPs should perhaps look objectively at the public image of themselves before citing instances of unacceptable behaviour and threats aimed at them.

Elected members of the Commons should perhaps look to the House of Lords, where I find debates are mostly of a much more civilised nature.

Bill Brown, Milngavie.