Retirement of the Clerk of the House
Thursday, 22 October 2026
Contributions
Mr SpeakerSpeaker
Before I invite the Leader of the House to move the motion of congratulations to Tom Goldsmith, I would like to record my own brief tribute. Having joined the House in 1996, Tom has now served this place for 30 years. He has been a distinguished and authoritative presence at the Table over the past decade, including as Clerk of the House for the last three years, a role that has been the culmination of an illustrious career in the service of this House. Members may not know this, but Tom is from a proud east end family and was the first in his family to go to university. Throughout his career, he retained his connection with those roots, welcoming children from his former state school regularly to Parliament. On his appointment, he notably became the youngest Clerk of the House since John Hatsell in the 18th century. Tom joined the House as an assistant Clerk via the civil service fast stream. In the years that followed, he held numerous roles across Select Committees and procedural offices, supporting the work of the Chamber. Tom has also been secretary to the House of Commons Commission and was the first head of governance in the Office of Governance. Those roles no doubt gave him a valuable insight into the way in which an at times unorthodox organisation runs; thankfully, that did not put him off applying for the role of Clerk of the House in the years that followed. In fact, Tom hit the ground running as Clerk of the House, leading the House through the 2024 general election, with the largest turnover of MPs in living memory, prioritising safety on the estate and working alongside the director general to champion the bicameral procurement function and develop a more efficient model for the management of our estate. On a more personal note, it was immediately before Tom’s appointment as Clerk of the House when he led the Table Office that I first had the privilege of working closely alongside him. Prior to that, he had led the Committee Office and driven the setting up of the groundbreaking hybrid and virtual Committees during the covid pandemic. Tom has the procedural expertise, political nous and authority that are essential for a successful Clerk. He combines them with an exceptionally clear style of communication, which I value greatly. I am not the only one who has benefited from that: he has put those skills to good use as co-author of the most widely used popular textbook about Parliament, “How Parliament Works”. I will always be grateful for the clear and authoritative advice Tom has provided, even on those rare occasions when we have disagreed with one another.
Tom Tugendhat (Tonbridge) (Con)Conservative
Shame!
Absolutely—he said he learned about that in his Foreign Affairs Committee job. [ Laughter. ] It is not just parliamentary procedure that keeps Tom busy in this place. He has also generously shared his talent for playing jazz piano at many an event in Parliament over the years, including in the Speaker’s House, which I will sorely miss. I know that the House will join me in thanking Tom for contributing 30 years of outstanding public service. I wish him well and the very best in his future endeavours, as Tom goes on to write books about jazz. He is available to play, and—who knows?—this could be his new life: Tom now sings the blues.
The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir Alan Campbell)Labour
I beg to move, That Mr Speaker be requested to convey to Mr Thomas Goldsmith, on his retirement from the office of Clerk of the House, this House’s gratitude for his long and distinguished service, for his wise contribution to the development of the procedure of the House, for his continuing focus on the interests of the House as a whole and of Members individually, his professionalism and courageous and inclusive leadership in the discharge of his duties as head of the House Administration, and for the courteous and helpful advice always given to individual honourable Members. It is a pleasure to move the motion to give the House the opportunity to pay tribute to Tom Goldsmith, who leaves the House at the end of this month after, as you said, Mr Speaker, 30 years of outstanding service to this place. He has held a large variety of posts. He has been a Clerk to a number of the busiest and most high-profile Select Committees, including the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Justice Committee and the Energy and Climate Change Committee. He has also worked in a number of procedural roles including Clerk of Committees and Principal Clerk of the Table Office as well as stints in the Public Bill Office and the Table Office earlier in his career. Tom has been committed to making the House and the services that support all of us work. That has been a common focus of his roles, including as Clerk of the Administration Committee, heading up what was then the Office of the Chief Executive, as Secretary to the House of Commons Commission and Head of the Governance Office, and, over the last few years, as Clerk of the House. I have seen some of his work at first hand as Chair of the Modernisation Committee; Tom has demonstrated a great commitment to improving the accessibility of this place for all its Members, staff and visitors. As you said, Mr Speaker, Tom was head of the Committee Office during the pandemic and led the successful work to quickly set up hybrid and virtual Committees, enabling Select Committees to continue performing their critical roles on behalf of this House. We remember those days as very difficult, but looking back I think that that is an understatement. Having people like Tom in charge of making the necessary changes meant that this place could continue to function. Tom was appointed the 52nd Clerk of the House of Commons in March 2023, taking over the role in October from Sir John Benger. In his three years as Clerk of the House, he has been a public servant of the highest calibre. Whether for Members in government or opposition, on the Front Benches or the Back Benches, he is a source of wisdom and invaluable assistance and has always, always put the interests of this House first—even, as you said, Mr Speaker, at the expense of not always agreeing with those who proposed a different view. Tom has seen an extraordinary amount of change during his tenure. Following the 2024 general election, we sit in a Chamber where over half of all MPs have less than five years of parliamentary experience. That required Tom to lead the House service through its largest induction programme for new Members. For so many newer Members, and, indeed, for those of us who have been here a little longer, Tom’s calm and courteous approach has been deeply reassuring. I know that Members right across the House will have greatly valued his guidance when navigating the complexities of our procedures and traditions. On a personal level, I have very much valued his advice and guidance, whether in opposition or since getting into government. The grandeur of the role has not changed Tom. As you said, Mr Speaker, as a young man he grew up in the east end and was the first in his family to go to university. He has opened up opportunities and access to this place. He introduced a system of direct recruitment for Clerks, which ensured that they are a more diverse and representative group. He regularly welcomes schoolchildren to Parliament, including from his secondary school Ilford County high school. Beyond his work in the Chamber, Tom is widely respected as the co-author of the eighth and ninth editions of “How Parliament Works”, which has done so much to demystify this House and help make it a more accessible place to the wider world. Outside Parliament, he is an accomplished jazz pianist. In my exchanges at business questions I have been forced to admit my enjoyment of musical theatre and country and western. I have to admit, however, that my music taste does not quite stretch to jazz. Nevertheless, he is an accomplished jazz pianist. As the shadow Leader of the House said earlier, it is fitting that he is so well practised at improvisation; it has meant that he has been so successful in keeping the business of this House running smoothly. From November, Tom will take up an appointment as a commissioner as part of the Civil Service Commission. He will undoubtedly bring a huge amount of skill and expertise to helping to maintain a civil service appointed on merit with the skills that it needs to deliver public services across our country. On behalf of the Government, I wish Tom all the very best for the next chapter in his life, and I wish his successor Eve Samson well as she takes up her role as Clerk of the House next month. I commend this motion to the House.
I call the shadow Minister.
Paul Holmes (Hamble Valley) (Con)Conservative
It is a genuine pleasure to speak on behalf of the official Opposition to support the motion on the Order Paper and offer the warmest of tributes to Tom Goldsmith as he retires after 30 years of distinguished service to this House. There are many people who contribute to the work of Parliament, but there are relatively few whose work underpins everything that we do. I have seen that contribution by Tom in my role in the Government Whips Office, the Opposition Whips Office and now in my short tenure—hopefully longer—as joint Opposition Deputy Chief Whip. For Members of Parliament, the House of Commons is where we come to debate, scrutinise the Government and, ultimately, represent the people who sent us here. It is a place of passion and, occasionally, a little theatricality, but behind all of that stands an institution whose authority depends on its procedures, traditions and the integrity of those who uphold them. Tom has devoted his professional life to ensuring that those foundations remain strong. Since joining the House service in 1996, when I was eight— [ Interruption. ] I know, I do not look it. Since 1996, Tom has served Parliament in a variety of important roles, including as Secretary to the House of Commons Commission, Head of the Committee Office, and Principal Clerk of the Table Office, before becoming Clerk of the House in 2023. He was also Clerk to the Foreign Affairs Committee, and if anyone can keep my right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge (Tom Tugendhat) in check, they are a very special man. That is a remarkable record of service and one that delivers the gratitude of Members on both sides of the Chamber. The office of Clerk of the House is not an ordinary job. It requires an extraordinary command of parliamentary procedure, a deep understanding of our constitution and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to provide clear, impartial advice when the political temperature in this place is rising—and we all know that the political temperature in this place can rise rather quickly. The Clerk must serve every Member equally, regardless of party, political persuasion or the strength of the argument being advanced at the Dispatch Box. That impartiality is fundamental to our democracy. No tribute to a Clerk of the House would be complete without recognising the qualities that can sometimes be taken for granted: patience, discretion, courtesy and the ability to offer advice with calm authority, even when the circumstances are anything but calm. Those qualities matter enormously in an institution where strong disagreements are not simply inevitable but essential to our democracy and the running of this House. Thirty years is a considerable period of service, and much has changed in that time, in Parliament, in the wider world and in our country. Through that period, the need for impartial, effective and trusted parliamentary administration has remained constant. Retirement from Parliament today will undoubtedly give Tom the opportunity to pursue new challenges and spend more time away from the demands of this place. His love of playing jazz piano has been mentioned. Like the Leader of the House, I am not somebody who would necessarily see him play—I much prefer musical theatre in the west end—but I look forward maybe to seeing him at my 40th birthday party in two years’ time. May I also suggest a career in professional poker? If he manages to keep that exact straight face as he does when I tell him my own interpretation of the Standing Orders, he really will go far. On a more serious note, I hope that Tom’s retirement brings him considerable happiness, good health and the freedom to enjoy those pursuits that a career of such commitment may not always have allowed him time to pursue. I hope that the whole House—I know that they will—will join me in wishing Tom every happiness in his retirement and thanking him for his outstanding service to the House of Commons. On behalf of all MPs and those wider House staff who serve in this unique and special community, thank you, Tom, and we wish you every best for the future.
Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney) (Lab)Labour
Mr Speaker, I would like to add some words of thanks to the retiring Clerk of the House. I find Thomas Goldsmith to be a very sage official sitting at the heart of our organisation. It is my privilege to be a House of Commons Commissioner and Chair of the Administration Committee. I have seen Tom show good judgment, provide wise words, land on the nub of a problem and always suggest a constructive way forward, and he does all of that with good grace. Tom Goldsmith is a polymath. Like others, I have heard his excellent piano playing. I know that he enjoys books, and we have often talked about our latest good reads. In a sometimes rarefied atmosphere, he is also a modest man from an ordinary background. It has been a pleasure working with him. Good wishes for the future, Tom.
I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.
Bobby Dean (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)Liberal Democrat
I echo the tributes paid from across the House and express my gratitude on behalf of the Liberal Democrats to the Clerk of the House, Tom Goldsmith, as he retires from his role today. I would also like to congratulate his successor, Eve Samson, in her appointment as the new Clerk of the House. Eve will be the first woman to hold the role, and I am sure that she will continue Tom’s excellent work. Parliament is famous for its architecture, history and traditions, but all of us who spend time here know that it is the people who make Parliament’s status as a world-leading institution continue. From the Doorkeepers to the catering staff, cleaners and security, thousands of staff keep this place going and deal with us sometimes awkward MPs with impressive patience and positivity. The Clerk is the steady presence at the Table, who ensures that whatever the heat of the debate, our proceedings run with fairness, order and respect for precedent. Members from every part of the House have relied on Tom’s guidance, patience and deep knowledge of our procedures. Getting all the parties to agree is an achievement in itself, and the fact that today’s tribute motion is supported by parties from across the House is a testament to his ability. We thank him sincerely for his service to the House and wish him a long and happy retirement. Thirty years of duty to the House is an incredible achievement. That service goes all the way back to 1996, and given that the shadow Minister mentioned that he was eight at the time, I will say that I was six—I am not sure whether this will become a competition. From head of the Committee Office to co-author of “How Parliament Works”, Tom’s guidance has come in many forms and has been invaluable to us all across the House for several decades. He has navigated the House through periods of turbulent change. In his time as Clerk of the House, Tom has navigated three Prime Ministers from two different parties, as well as dealing with the largest intake of new MPs in parliamentary history, with such a huge proportion entering Parliament in 2024. I certainly had a lot to learn when I arrived in this House from Carshalton and Wallington for the first time, and I am very grateful for the support that Tom and all the wonderful House staff have provided and continue to provide. Tom has been a steady and impartial presence, keeping the business of the House running smoothly despite shifts in leadership and political direction. His calm authority and commitment to fairness have earned the respect of Members on all sides, and he has worked tirelessly to help newcomers learn the traditions and procedures of the Chamber. My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I are especially grateful for his guidance as we adjusted to becoming the largest third party in a century. We had always found him fair when we were the fourth party, but his support as we grew from 15 to 72 MPs was crucial, and his even-handedness, professionalism and advice have been hugely important to us throughout this period. I have always found Tom to be a diligent and calming presence, with a firm and fair hand, while guiding us through Commission meetings. Tom is ever dependable, and I think it is very telling of his character that all Members here, across the House, have found consensus today in our gratitude and praise towards him as Clerk. I and all the Liberal Democrats wish Tom the very best for the future.
Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Highgate) (Lab)Labour
Some people in the House may have noticed that a year ago a foreign state took an enormous interest in me and went to town with the newspapers. I was not worried about the law as such, because I knew that I had done nothing wrong, but I was a little bit conscious about the reputation of the House and my position here, having been an MP for 11 years. I went to see the Deputy Speaker, who told me that I should go and speak to Tom. She scornfully added that I would have much better shoes if I had the amount of money that it was alleged I had—I think it was a backward compliment, but I am not sure. I went to see Tom, who I did not know very well but who I had interacted with a few times, and I asked him about the status of all the fabricated allegations against me. I explained that no one has ever contacted me about all those allegations—not even now—because apparently they cannot find me, even though I am standing here right now in Parliament. The advice that Tom gave me, which was so calm, reassuring and well researched, and delivered in such a compassionate way, is something that I will never forget. We are lucky to live in a country where there is the rule of law and a functioning democracy, and where we have an amazing House of Commons. We are also very lucky to have people such as Tom, who can provide evidence on anything he is asked about without even consulting a book, and who knows the rule of law and procedure like the back of his hand. That is not a session I will ever forget, and I will not go into detail about it, but it provided reassurance at a very difficult time. Not all heroes wear capes, but some of them wear black gowns and sit on green chairs.
Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) (SNP)Scottish National Party
May I, on behalf of all SNP MPs past and present who have had the tremendous good fortune to work under the guidance and tutelage of Tom as Clerk of the House, express our gratitude and support for the motion? We have been guided by Tom since 2021, when he became Principal Clerk in the Table Office, where he advised us on Opposition day topics, Brexit and the upcoming 2021 Scottish general election. In fact, certain Members of this House took issue with our use of the term “Scottish general election”, but thanks to Tom’s even-handed approach, we were able to retain those words in our motion at that time. Since he became Clerk of the House, Tom has assisted us over the years with matters of sub judice, Committee compositions, questions of order and manifold conventions within this place. Indeed, Tom’s support was so instructive, so comprehensive and so helpful to the SNP that I had no option but to conclude that he, too, must be a freedom fighter committed to the cause of Scottish independence. Accordingly, I scoured the SNP membership list to check for his entry—alas, his name appeared not. That leads me to conclude that he does not, in fact, hold the SNP in a special place within his professional courtesy and boundless knowledge. He is, rather, a committed and consummate professional who allows all Members and all parties in this place to benefit from his patient and even-handed wisdom, without fear or favour. I thank him for that, and the SNP wishes him all health and happiness in his future.
Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op)Labour (Co-op)
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Angus and Perthshire Glens (Dave Doogan), who I think spoke for us all in his closing words about Tom. I, too, wish to pay tribute to the retiring Clerk, who has been an incredible source of advice to us all, but also a great support to me since I was first elected. It has been incredible to see his work and his utter dedication, efficiency and thoughtfulness, and I acknowledge and appreciate how he is always so approachable. Words have been spoken about the leadership that Tom showed at the time of covid. I remember that time; I remember the fear in the nation, the uncertainty about how Parliament would continue, and the anxiety about how we would represent our constituents, how debates might continue and how we would be able to do that all while staying at home. Tom was one of the leaders at that time who helped ensure that the functions of democracy could continue. It is in that spirit that I thank him and acknowledge that we so often take for granted the systems, the teams and the incredible work that goes on behind the scenes so that we can continue, through all circumstances, to do our job here on behalf of our constituents. I thank Tom for his incredible and utter mastery of procedure and of the constitution, his advice and his leadership. I acknowledge his incredible career of public service to this House, to our democracy and to our public life. On behalf of my constituents in Feltham and Heston, today I say thank you.
Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)Democratic Unionist Party
I rise to pay a heartfelt and honest tribute to our outgoing Clerk, Tom Goldsmith, as he prepares to leave this House at the end of the month. On behalf of myself, the Democratic Unionist party and the wonderful people of Strangford, I express our deepest gratitude for his 30 years of impeccable, dedicated service to this Parliament. Tom has been a steadfast pillar of wisdom, guiding the Chamber with unmatched procedural expertise, absolute integrity and, perhaps most importantly for those of us who test the boundaries of time, the blessing of profound patience and kindness. His piano expertise is to be applauded, whereas my apex in that regard is “Chopsticks”, which falls far short of Tom’s talent. Whenever a Back Bencher has needed guidance on a complex amendment or advice on a point of order, Tom has always been there with a steady hand and an open door. His presence at the Table will be deeply missed, and we wish him nothing but the very best, good health and happiness in his well-deserved retirement. May God’s blessing be upon him and his family in the days that lie ahead. At the same time, it is a tremendous pleasure to welcome Eve Samson as our next Clerk of the House. Making history as the first woman to hold that prestigious office is a magnificent milestone. Having known Eve through her exceptional work over many years, not least her invaluable guidance on various Select Committees, I know that she brings a wealth of experience, sharp intellect and a deep respect for the traditions of this House, which we all respect. She has a big pair of shoes to fill, but I have absolutely no doubt that she will serve this Parliament with the highest distinction. She will always have the full support and prayers of those on the DUP Bench as she takes up her historic duties.
I thank all Members for their contributions about Tom. Some wonderful words have been said about him. As the Leader of the House mentioned, Eve Samson will take over as the next Clerk, and he is quite right that she is the first woman Clerk I have been able to appoint. The role goes back to 1363, so it is quite an amazing feat and we must not forget that. We wish Tom well. And I think Eve is learning to play the piano, in case we need another jazz pianist.
Source: UK Parliament Hansard API. Debate ID: 5423151.