Speaker of the House of Commons in the UK
The Speaker of the House of Commons is a very important person in the British Parliament. He is
the head or leader of the House of Commons. His job is to manage the meetings and make sure
everything runs smoothly and fairly.
1. Election of the Speaker
The Speaker is chosen or elected by the Members of Parliament (MPs). This election happens
whenever a new Parliament starts after a general election or if the previous Speaker retires or
leaves. Here is how it happens:
- MPs nominate candidates for the Speaker's position.
- Then, a secret ballot is held, and all MPs vote.
- If one person gets more than 50% of the votes, he or she becomes the Speaker.
- If no one gets 50% in the first round, the person with the lowest votes is removed, and voting
happens again until someone wins.
The elected Speaker leaves his or her political party and becomes neutral. He does not take sides in
political matters anymore.
2. Powers and Functions of the Speaker
The Speaker has many important powers and duties. Some of the main ones are given below:
A. Spokesman of the House
- The Speaker is the official representative of the House of Commons.
- He speaks for the House in all formal communications with the King, the House of Lords, and other
bodies.
- He also represents the House at national and international events.
B. Chairman of the House
- The Speaker acts like the chairperson of the meetings.
- He sits in the Speaker's Chair and controls the discussion.
- He gives permission to MPs to speak during debates.
- He ensures that all MPs get a fair chance to talk.
C. Function Regarding Discipline and Dignity of the House
- The Speaker keeps discipline in the House.
- If any MP uses bad language or behaves badly, the Speaker can warn or stop them.
- He can also send the MP out of the House if needed.
- This helps maintain peace and order during meetings.
D. He Interprets the Rules of the House
- The House of Commons follows certain rules and traditions called 'Standing Orders'.
- The Speaker explains and interprets these rules.
- His decisions on these matters are final and must be followed.
E. The Speaker is the Executive of the House
- The Speaker looks after the administration of the House.
- He controls the staff and offices of the House.
- He decides how the work of the House should be managed.
F. Other Functions
- The Speaker decides whether a bill is a 'money bill' or not.
- He decides the order of business in the House.
- He can allow or disallow questions and motions.
- He also plays a big role in times of crisis or political confusion.
3. Emoluments of the Speaker
The Speaker gets a good salary, house, and other benefits. His salary is similar to that of a Cabinet
Minister. He also gets:
- A residence near the Parliament.
- Personal staff and transport facilities.
- Pension after retirement.
These emoluments help the Speaker do his job without any worry.
4. Position of the Speaker
The Speaker is a very respected and powerful person in the UK government system. Some key
points about his position are:
- He is neutral and does not take sides in debates.
- All MPs must respect his authority.
- His rulings are final and cannot be challenged.
- He protects the rights of all MPs and ensures fair play.
- Even the Prime Minister and senior ministers must follow his orders in the House.
The Speaker is like a judge in the House. He must be wise, fair, and honest. Because of his
important role, he is given high respect by all parties.
Conclusion
The Speaker of the House of Commons is one of the most important persons in the UK Parliament.
He ensures the proper running of the House, maintains discipline, protects the dignity of the House,
and remains neutral. His role is essential for the success of democracy in the UK.
