Lord Speaker to step down early from role to care for wife with Parkinson’s

The Lord Speaker has announced he is to step down several months early from his role in the upper chamber to support his wife who has Parkinson’s.

Lord McFall of Alcluith, who took up the top post in 2021, said it had been “the honour and privilege” of his life to serve the House of Lords.

While the election to choose his successor was originally due to be held next July, the peer said his final day in the post would be on February 1, with arrangements being made in time to provide for “an orderly handover”.

The former Labour minister served as an MP for more than 20 years in the Commons where he chaired the Treasury Select Committee from 2001 and 2010.

Lord McFall told peers at the start of Thursday’s proceedings: “As you may be aware, the election for my successor in the post is due to take place in July next year.

“However, for reasons I will explain, I wish to announce to you today that I will step down from my post a few months earlier than that.

“Some years ago, my wife Joan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

“Since that time, I have combined my parliamentary work with my responsibilities at home.

“During this period, and indeed throughout my career, the support of my wife has been essential to my service in Parliament.

“It was Joan who encouraged me to return to education and to become a teacher after I left school with no formal qualifications.

“She selflessly supported me in my work as MP for our hometown of Dumbarton as well as in this House.

“I have now taken the decision that I must in future spend the majority of my time at home supporting my wife.

“I have informed the Leader of the House that my final day in this post will be February 1 2026.

“House officials will make the necessary preparations for an election to select my successor in time for an orderly handover.”

He added: “It has been the honour and privilege of my life to serve this House as its fourth Lord Speaker.

“In the remaining months of my tenure I will continue to do my utmost to fulfil my duties diligently.

“My work has been made easier and more satisfying by the friendship and support I have enjoyed from so many of you across the whole House.

“I have been ably supported by the excellent and dedicated team of deputy speakers.

“I have benefited each and every day from the superb work of the staff of the House, in particular the exceptional team in my own office.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all members and to the staff of the House for the unstinting support I have received.”

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “I was sad to hear the news that the Lord Speaker, Lord John McFall of Alcluith, is retiring.

“John has been a friend since I was elected as an MP in 1997 and I have enjoyed working with him during our time as speakers, which has seen some historic national and global events in Parliament.

“John is a family man, so I can absolutely understand why he would want to retire to spend more time with Joan, and I wish them both all the best.”

The Lord Speaker oversees proceedings in the chamber, plays a key role in the running of the House and acts as an ambassador for the Lords at home and abroad.

Speaking in the upper chamber, Tory shadow leader in the Lords Lord True said: “When the Lord Speaker told me of his decision last night to retire early, I was actually overwhelmed by the sense of his love for his wife of 56 years that led to the decision.

“There’ll be another time for tributes but I’d like the Lord Speaker to know how much he himself is loved in this House, and he and Joan will be in our thoughts and prayers in the time ahead.”

Lords leader Baroness Smith of Basildon said Lord McFall was a personal friend who she had known since the 1980s when they were both parliamentary candidates.

She added: “I think the reasons he is standing down go to the heart of the integrity of the man.”

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman thanked Lord McFall for “his service and his work, clearly in very difficult circumstances”.

“We wish him the best,” he added.