Progressive Labour Party MP Randolph Horton is now the Speaker of the House of Assembly after being the only nominee for the post at yesterday’s House of Assembly sitting.Mr Horton’s Deputy is Government MP Suzann Roberts-Holshouser who represents St Georges South. Both were nominated by Premier Craig Cannonier and seconded by Deputy Leader Michael Dunkley.Mr Horton said he was proud and humbled by the honour and confidence imposed in him.“I will certainly do my best to ensure that as we carry out our business it will be carried out in the best interests of the people of this Island.”The PLP which had made clear its disapproval of any of its members taking up such a position at a delegates conference meeting in December, reacted politely to the development.“The Progressive Labour Party wishes MP Mr K H Randolph Horton well in his role as Speaker of the House. We trust that he will preside over the affairs of the House of Assembly in a fair, organised, and respectful manner; one which provides both the Government and Opposition the opportunity for healthy debate on legislation and issues affecting our Country.”Asked whether there will be any consequences in terms of Mr Horton’s standing in the party a spokesperson would only say that he remains a member of the party.PLP MPs were reluctant to give their views, but the reaction in the Chamber from the Opposition benches yesterday was decidedly muted.Leader Marc Bean said: “We had no control over that as we are no longer the Government but it’s something that both he [Horton] and the OBA will have to settle within their own conscience.”The PLP parliamentary group made a decision two weeks ago not to nominate anyone for the Speaker.Many insiders had expected Mr Horton to accept the nomination having made clear his ambition to be Speaker shortly after the December 17 poll. Mr Horton has kept a low profile since the election of Marc Bean as party leader at a post-election special delegates’ conference.At that conference a motion was passed resolving to expel any member who accepted a position that assists the Government side.But some said that the motion is unconstitutional, as the Constitution provides a disciplinary process, and that expelling Mr Horton would make little strategic sense.An Opposition Speaker provides a strategic advantage to the Government as the Speaker only votes when there is a tie.It is understood that Mr Horton has not been attending key party meetings since the election.First elected to Parliament in 1998, the Southampton West MP is, by all accounts, the most qualified by experience to run the House. In July 2010 he became Chairman of the Joint Select Committee on the Causes of Violent Crime and Gun Violence in Bermuda, and in May 2011 was elected Deputy Speaker of the House.