Following the recent transformative election in the UK, the halls of Parliament were abuzz with excitement as hundreds of newly elected lawmakers took their seats. A total of 650 members of the House of Commons gathered, with 335 of them being first-time arrivals, marking a significant increase compared to the previous election in 2019.
The new House of Commons boasts the largest number of women ever elected, with 263 female lawmakers making up 40% of the total, as well as a record number of lawmakers of color at 90. Among the newcomers is Labour's Sam Carling, aged 22, who is the youngest new lawmaker in the assembly.
The composition of the House of Commons includes a majority of Labour legislators, with 412 members, while the Conservative Party has a reduced contingent of 121 members. Additionally, the Liberal Democrats have seen a significant increase in their representation, with 72 members, alongside other parties such as the Green Party and Reform UK.
One of the first tasks for the newly elected lawmakers will be to elect a speaker to preside over the House of Commons. The current speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, is expected to be reelected to the position. The speaker-elect will undergo a formal approval process known as Royal Approbation before taking on the role.
Following the election of the speaker, lawmakers will be sworn in, pledging allegiance to the king and his successors. The swearing-in process will be conducted in English, with the option to repeat the oath in various languages. Notably, seven lawmakers from Sinn Fein will abstain from taking their seats in protest against UK control over Northern Ireland.
Once all MPs are sworn in, the House of Commons will adjourn until July 17, when the new session will commence with the State Opening of Parliament. During this event, the king will deliver the King's Speech outlining the government's legislative agenda for the upcoming year, which is expected to include initiatives such as the establishment of a publicly owned green power company and changes to planning rules and railway nationalization.
As the new government sets out its plans, the Conservative Party, led temporarily by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, will hold the government to account as the official opposition.
