In a crowded and solemn House of Commons, the black-gowned Clerk of the House rose to his feet and pointed wordlessly at Tory Backbencher Sir Hugh O'Neill, 68, Father of the House. It was the signal to nominate a Speaker for the new House of Commons, and Sir Hugh promptly rose to speak. His nominee: tall, white-thatched Tory William Shepherd Morrison, 58, a lean and likable Scots lawyer, known to M.P.s as "Shakes" because his first two initials are the same as Shakespeare's. Shakes has been M.P. for the constituency of Cirencester and Tewkesbury for 22 years.
The House of Commons traditionally...