I always thought the Speaker's role was simply that of a chairman of the

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

Ms. Abbot is a nice person, but not a future Home Sec.

Have you had dealings with her or know of someone who has so can attest to this niceness? I know a public persona is not the best evidence to go on but she has always struck me as slightly sinister. I think it's her serpentine and menacing delivery. And the way she lost no time attacking that old Tory bird for using the profoundly offensive word 'colour'.