Speaker of the House of Commons (Fatrea)
| Speaker of the House of Commons | |
|---|---|
Incumbent Vacant | |
| House of Commons | |
| Style | Mr/Madam Speaker |
| Type | Presiding Officer |
| Status | Chief Administrator |
| Member of | House of Commons |
| Nominator | House of Commons |
| Appointer | Monarch |
| Term length | At His Majesty's Pleasure |
| Formation | 15 February 2024 |
| Unofficial names | Commons Speaker |
| Deputy | Deputy Speaker |
The Speaker of the House of Commons, commonly known as the Commons Speaker, is the presiding officer of the House of Commons, the lower chamber of the Parliament of Fatrea.
The speaker presides over the house during debates - determining who is permitted to speak as well as which amendments to bills may be considered. The speaker also maintains order in the house, and may punish members who breach house rules. It is expected the speaker is strictly non-partisan for their time in office.
The speaker does not engage in debate or votes in the house, except in tie break situations. The speaker also oversees some administrative functions over the house. In addition to this, the speaker is conventionally a member of parliament so have a role in representing their constituency in the house. They are also usually an ex officio member of the privy council and represent the House of Commons to the monarch.
The speaker is aided by a deputy speaker.
The office of speaker is currently vacant.
History
The speakership of the house is as old as the House of Commons itself. The office was established on 15 February 2024 with the foundation of the house. The role was established in the constitution.
Election
Officially, the commons speaker is appointed by the monarch and serves at their pleasure. However, the constitution outlines how the speaker should be appointed on the nomination of the House of Commons. As the house nominates candidates for the office, it is typically expected that the nominee should be selected from within the house - and so is an elected member of parliament. Once appointed, a speaker continues in office until the dissolution of parliament, unless they resign prior to this.
The house is required to nominate a speaker at the beginning of each new parliamentary term after a general election, or after the death or resignation of the incumbent. All nominations are subject to the review and ultimate confirmation of the monarch.
Removal
There is no official process for the dismissal of the speaker, however it is commonplace for the monarch to dismiss the speaker at the end of parliamentary terms or at their failure to be re-nominated by the house. It is also implied that the house can impeach the speaker through a two-thirds majority vote of the house.
Role
Presiding Officer
The primary function of the speaker is as presiding officer of the House of Commons. The speaker is the highest officer of the house and has final say over the conduct of business. During debate, the speaker is responsible for maintaining discipline and order. The speaker enforces house rules during debates and can punish members for breaches of such. In debates the speaker also calls on members to speak and all speaking in the house is directed towards the speaker. In addition to maintaining discipline, the speakers must ensure that debates proceed smoothly. If they find that a member is making irrelevant remarks, is tediously repetitive, or is otherwise in some capacity delaying proceedings, they may order the member to end the speech in order to cary on the conduct of house business.
Voting
When there is a tie in the house, the speaker is permitted to cast a tie-breaking vote. It is generally expected that the speaker will use his or her own judgement in voting, instead of voting along party lines, or they vote to instigate a new debate and move to a new vote afterwards.
Other Functions
In addition to being presiding officer, the speaker conducts other functions in the House of Commons. These duties include:
- Representing the House to the Monarch
- Addresses the Crown on Behalf of the House
- Recalls the House from Recess
- Issuing Writs of Election in Vacancies
The speaker is also responsible for overseeing the administration of the house. The speaker additionally represents their constituency.
Non-Partisanship
The commons speaker is required to be strictly non-partisan while in office. This includes renouncing all party ties until they leave office. This is because it is essential the officeholder is impartial in their role as presiding officer.
In the house, the speaker does not vote on any bill or motion except in instances of a tie-break situation. In maintaining non-partisanship, it is forbidden for the speaker's party of origin (or any other party) to try and use a party whip to get the speaker to vote a certain way.
During general elections, it is expected that the speaker's seat will be left uncontested. Parties are generally asked not to put forward candidates in the speaker's constituency.