Speaker of the House of Representatives (Austenasia)

Speaker of the House of Representatives
Incumbent Lady Addison O'Halloran, Baroness of Blue Ridge since 3 August 2024
Style	The Right Honourable (Formal) Mr./Mme. Speaker (Informal and within the House)
Member of	House of Representatives Senate
Appointer	House of Representatives
Term length	Indefinite
Inaugural holder	Lord Charles Clarke, Duke of Grantabridge
Formation	22 October 2014
Succession	Election

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the member of the House of Representatives of the Empire of Austenasia who presides over the sessions of the House. The Speaker is elected by a majority vote of the House of Representatives, and is referred to as "The Right Honourable" if they do not have a higher style. They serve as an ex officio Senator while in office.

The position of Speaker was created on 22 October 2014 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Act 2014. The office remained empty until the August 2015 local elections, after which Lord Charles Clarke was elected on 6 September 2015 as the first Speaker of the House. Eight more Speakers have held the position since.

According to Paragraph 3 of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Act 2014, the Speaker has "the sole authority to maintain order in the House of Representatives, to preside over debates, to recognize motions, to count votes on motions, and to declare a motion passed or failed." Before the creation of the office of Speaker, its functions tended to be carried out by either the Monarch or Prime Minister. Should the position be vacant, its functions are to be exercised either by the Prime Minister or by another Representative nominated by the Prime Minister.

List of Speakers

Number	Picture	Name	Town	Took office	Left office	Notes
#		Vacant		22 Oct 2014	6 Sep 2015	The office remained vacant for over ten months after its creation by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Act 2014, as said Act specified that the Speaker would be elected after a local election.
1		Lord Charles Clarke, Duke of Grantabridge	Lichtenstein	6 Sep 2015	7 Mar 2016	Elected the first Speaker after the August 2015 local elections.
2		Lady Vice Admiral Elizabeth Lewis, Duchess of Bernardston	Terentia	10 Mar 2016	11 Feb 2020	Elected the second Speaker after the resignation of Lord Charles. Lost the position upon the secession of Terentia.
3		Lord Edward Gunderson, Count of New Grémmia	Dragovina	13 Feb 2020	29 May 2020	Elected Speaker following the February 2020 elections. Removed from office by Emperor Jonathan I after his assumption of emergency powers.
4		Lord William Wilson, Count of Oribrazos	Nahona	1 Jun 2020	24 Feb 2021	Directly appointed Speaker at the nomination of the Prime Minister by Emperor Jonathan I under the provisions of his assumption of emergency powers. Was confirmed by the House in a vote of confidence on 21 June 2020. Resigned in February 2021.
5		Lord Ashley Jaax, Baron of Kingeston	Kingeston	24 Feb 2021	22 Aug 2021	Elected the fifth Speaker after the resignation of Lord Wilson. Resigned in August later that year.
6		Lord Hunter Prater, Duke of Dixie	New Flat Rock	22 Sep 2021	24 Aug 2022	Elected after a vacancy of a month, with the House hesitant to elect a new Speaker prior to the outcome of the 2021 general election being known. Stepped down in July 2022, but remained formally in office as a placeholder (with the Prime Minister presiding over the House instead) until the election of his successor.
7		Lord John Gordon, Viscount of Thetford	Palasia	24 Aug 2022	12 Feb 2024	Elected after the resignation of Lord Prater. Automatically vacated the office upon election as Prime Minister, but continued in that capacity to direct parliamentary business until the election of his successor.
8		Lord Andrew, Baron of Corinium Terentium	Britain and Ireland Division	21 Feb 2024	22 Jul 2024	Elected Speaker following the vacancy arising from the February 2024 general election. Officially lost the position upon becoming Acting Prime Minister himself, but continued in that capacity to direct parliamentary business until the election of his successor.
9		Lady Addison O'Halloran, Baroness of Blue Ridge	Blue Ridge	3 Aug 2024	Incumbent	Elected Speaker following Lord Andrew's elevation to head of government.