House of Commons Background Paper: Father of the House - Commons Library Standard Note

Published 01 August 2012 | Standard notes SN06399

Amended 03 October 2012

Authors: Mark Sandford

Topic: Members of Parliament, Parliament

The Father of the House is a title that is by tradition bestowed on the senior Member of the House, which is nowadays held to be the Member who has the longest unbroken service in the Commons. This Standard Note discusses the duties associated with the post and its history. It also refers to the opposite title of ‘Baby of the House’, held by the youngest Member.

The Father of the House is not necessarily the oldest Member. Parliamentary Information List SN/PC/04416 provides a further list of Youngest Members. Lists of Fathers and Babies of the House, together with lists of the oldest and youngest Members have been compiled by an external website, http://www.leighrayment.com/commons/fathercommons.htm.

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