Following tradition, the election was chaired by the clerk of the house, Barnett Cocks, and all speeches were directed at him.

This proved problematic given that the debate was controversial, with allegations that Selwyn Lloyd's nomination had been stitched up between the two front benches and then announced without consulting backbenchers or minor parties.

Labour MP Sir Geoffrey de Freitas was nominated against his wishes to stand against Lloyd.

Subsequently, the rules were changed to require the consent of a nominee for Speaker before he or she could be nominated.

Lloyd was thus conducted to the Speaker's Chair by Charles Pannell and Dame Irene Ward.