Презентация на тему "The Speaker of the House of Commons"

Слайд #1

The Speaker of the House of Commons
Made by:
Manzhikhanova A.

Слайд #2

The Speaker of the House of Commons is the chief officer and highest authority of the House of Commons, the lower house and primary chamber of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The current Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, was elected Speaker on 4 November 2019, following the retirement of John Bercow.
John Bercow
Sir Lindsay Hoyle

Слайд #3

What is the role of the Speaker of the House of Commons?
The Speaker of the House of Commons occupies a pivotal role in shaping how Parliament debates issues and passes legislation. The role has come under renewed scrutiny as Brexit continues its parliamentary journey.
The modern Speaker is politically impartial and expected to avoid taking a political stance or favouring particular interests over others. To ensure this, the Speaker is expected to resign from their party on appointment and do not campaign in general elections – usually standing unopposed by the major political parties. However, they are still a serving MP and undertake constituency work.
The role of the Speaker is almost as old as Parliament itself and has evolved significantly over time. Originally the Speaker was the monarch’s de facto representative in Parliament. From the 18th century onwards, the Speaker gained greater independence, beginning to represent the collective voice of Parliament.

Слайд #4

How is the Speaker elected?

The Speaker is elected by a secret ballot of *MPs at the beginning of a new Parliament (following a general election), or following the resignation, death or retirement of the previous incumbent.

If the Speaker in post wishes to retain the role following a general election, they do not need to be re-elected by secret ballot and can instead be reappointed by a motion passed by a majority of MPs.
*A member of parliament

Слайд #5

What is the role of the Speaker?
The role of the Speaker is multi-faceted; part-Chair, part-referee, part symbolic representative of the Commons as a whole.

Their responsibilities include:
Controlling debate
The Speaker has an important role in controlling debate in the Commons. While most business in the House is largely controlled and timetabled by the Government, the Speaker can lengthen or curtail debate before the point of ‘closure’, when a motion or bill goes to a vote.
Deciding who can speak
MPs do not have an automatic right to speak during debates and the Speaker must balance MPs' participation with ensuring the smooth running of parliamentary business. Those wishing to speak will try and ‘catch the Speaker’s eye’, rising from their seats briefly once the previous MP has finished their contribution.

Слайд #6

In deciding who to call, the Speaker will consider:
the standard practice of calling the official spokespeople from the Government and the Opposition to bookmark the ends of a debate whether some MPs have a specific interest in the topic being debated (such as a direct constituency link or policy expertise) an MP’s seniority whether an MP has had a previous opportunity to contribute the time available for the debate the need to protect the rights of parliamentary minorities. Whether minorities have had a chance to contribute can be an important consideration in deciding whether to bring a debate to an end.

Choosing amendments
The Speaker has the power to decide whether, and which, amendments to bills or motions can be debated and voted on. This risks putting the Speaker in a highly political position, having to make a judgement on which amendments are worthy of debate.

Слайд #7

There are several principles that guide the Speakers’ decisions and seek to ensure impartiality:
The need to protect the rights of parliamentary minorities. The Speaker will usually allow amendments tabled by the Opposition frontbench as a point of principle. However, they may also select a key backbench amendment to provide an opportunity for parliamentary minorities to air their views.
The Speaker will generally not choose amendments that are ‘out of order’, meaning that they:
are submitted late
are vague
are out of scope (meaning not sufficiently related to the subject matter of the bill or motion they are tabled against)
cover issues already considered in depth during the debate
do not make sense or would mean part of the bill didn’t make sense (wrecking amendments).

The Speaker’s role in selecting amendments puts pressure on both the Government and Opposition frontbenches.

Слайд #8

Allowing Urgent Questions or Emergency Debates:
The Speaker can decide to allow Urgent Questions or Emergency Debates – both important means for backbenchers and the Opposition to force ministers to the Despatch Box and raise the political profile of an issue.
Exercising the casting vote
One of the most important, albeit very rarely used, powers the Speaker has is to exercise the casting vote in the event of a draw.
Upholding parliamentary rules
The Speaker is also responsible for maintaining order in the House and ensuring Standing Orders (parliamentary rules) are upheld. MPs can ask the Speaker to decide whether actions are within parliamentary rules by making a ‘Point of Order’.
The Speaker can also make definitive interpretations of parliamentary rules and procedures through ‘Speaker’s rulings’.
The Speaker can also decide whether complaints of privilege – allegations that an MP, servant of the House or a select committee has been obstructed or threatened – should proceed.

Слайд #9

Thanks for your attention!