CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Sarah Clarke OBE (born 12 October 1965) is a British administrator. Since 13 February 2018, she has served as Black Rod; the first female Black Rod in the 650-year history of the role. The role is formally, “The Lady Usher of the Black Rod” (for previous incumbents, “Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod").

Detailed explanation-2: -Black Rod, in full Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod or Lady Usher of the Black Rod, an office of the British House of Lords (the upper house in Parliament), instituted in 1350.

Detailed explanation-3: -By the sixteenth century, the role had evolved to become a position entirely associated with Parliament, rather than the Royal Court. In essence, Black Rod became the Monarch’s representative in the House of Lords. In the mid-nineteenth century, Black Rod’s Office was reformed.

Detailed explanation-4: -The current Usher of the Black Rod is John Begley. You can watch the opening of the 47th Parliament, including the Usher of the Black Rod summoning members of the House of Representatives live on the APH website on 26 July 2022.