'The deputy speaker can tell me off all day and every day': Nusrat Ghani wows viewers and leaves MPs squirming with her withering Budget put-downs

Published: 11:28 EDT, 28 October 2026 | Updated: 11:44 EDT, 28 October 2026 Parliament's Deputy Speaker has won new-found acclaim for her star performance – and put-downs to MPs – following today's Budget.Nusrat Ghani told off backbenchers as they made debate contributions during and after the speech in the House of Commons by Chancellor John Healey. The Conservative MP for Sussex Weald previously stole the show a year ago when overseeing the main debate after the Budget delivered by Mr Healey's predecessor Rachel Reeves, who was sacked this year when Andy Burnham replaced Sir Keir Starmer.Ms Ghani, 54, is the most senior of Deputy Speakers, with roles including presiding over Budget discussions instead of the Speaker as part of Westminster tradition. She previously served in various ministerial roles during the former Conservative government, such as Europe minister and Lord Commissioner of the Treasury.It is not only her Parliamentary interventions that have attracted attention, but also her choice of tie.Ms Ghani shared footage on X ahead of today's back-and-forths, saying: 'The big reveal… I’ll be wearing the #Sussex flag on my tie for the Budget Statement today.'It features 6 gold martlets on a blue field and can be traced back to at least 1611- older than the role I hold as Chairman of Ways and Means.' Nusrat Ghani has won plaudits after chiding MPs as they made debate contributions after the speech in the House of Commons by Chancellor John HealeyShe went on to play a prominent role in debates following Mr Healey's statement. When Dr Luke Evans heckled the Chancellor today, Ms Ghani told the Tory MP for Hinckley and Bosworth: 'You'll have to write yourself a prescription just to calm down.'That was after Mr Healey erred when saying the Jackdaw oil field in Scotland was last week 'opposed - approved'.And the Chancellor appeared relieved after Ms Ghani's intervention, saying: 'Madam Deputy Speaker, at least they are still awake.'Ms Ghani also told the Conservatives' heckling shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge: 'Mr Cartlidge, I think you’ve spoken more words than the Chancellor during this statement.'Paul Holmes, another Tory MP, was told by her: 'Mr Holmes, just like last year your voice is carrying far too heavily across the Chamber.' She also chided fellow Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst, saying: 'The member for Bridlington and The Wolds promised me and his young daughter this morning on the way to work that he would behave.'He has let himself down and his daughter down.' Social media users praised Deputy Speaker Nusrat Ghani for her Budget debate contributions The Conservative MP for Sussex Weald posted on X about wearing a Sussex-themed tieMs Ghani told the Commons as a whole: 'Colleagues who are chuntering will need a lot of stamina - we have many hours to go so let’s keep the chamber calm.'Kashmir-born, Birmingham-raised Ms Ghani has chaired Parliament's Ways and Means committee since 2024, having been elected Deputy Speaker in July that year.Social media responses to her comments in the Commons today included: 'You had your work cut out controlling that lot today.'One poster wrote on X: 'You looked fab. Loved your responses to the MPs "misbehaving"!'Another wrote: 'The lovely deputy speaker Nusrat Ghani can point and tell me off all day and every day.'She was also told: 'Good sign we have a woman deputy speaker today; positive impact Nusrat Ghani!'A fellow X poster said, 'I want to hear more from Nusrat Ghani,' prompting a response saying: 'Nus handled the main event pretty well I thought. And looks awesome in the suit and tie combo.'READ MORE: John Healey rakes in another £17billion from struggling workers as hated stealth raid pushes burden to another record high READ MORE: How much will frozen income tax thresholds cost you?