User:Jo Jc Jo/sandbox trial

=Mother of the House (United Kingdom)= Mother of the House is an honorific title given by tradition to the female Member of Parliament of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom with the longest uninterrupted service.

Since 9 July 2024 the Mother of the House is Diane Abbott.

History
Although the term had been used previously, the first use of the term in a ceremonial capacity was by Theresa May during the first sitting of the House following the  2017 General Election. In setting out the new tradition, Theresa May announced she was "breaking with tradition" by congratulating Harriet Harman as Mother of the House.

The term was used to refer to Harman for the remainder of her Parliamentary career at which time Abbot was conferred as Mother of the House.

Role
Simular the title of Father of the House and Baby of the House, the Mother of the House is not established by Standing Order but rather by convention.

The title is bestowed on the female parliamentarian with the longest uninterrupted service as MP calculated by the date of the election. When two MPs have served for the same duration, it is calculated depending on the date and time on which they took the Oath of Allegiance.

There is yet to be a female Member of Parliament who has sat longer than her male counterpart making the the Father of the House more senior. By custom the Father of the House conducts the Business of the House prior to the election of speaker. It is unclear whether this role would be carried out by the most senior member— or "Elder of the House"— or whether the duty would remain with the Father of the House, even if more not as senior.

By tradition, in the opening remarks at the start of a new Parliament, the Mother of the House is the fourth member to speak after the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and the Father of the House. The Mother of the House also swears or affirms their allegiance at the start of a new Parliament after the Speaker of the House and the Father of the House but before the Prime Minister and any other MPs.