The Speaker presides over the House of
Commons and is responsible for keeping order during debates and ensuring
that the rules of the House are obeyed.
The Speaker must always act impartially
and protect the right of all MPs to speak during debates. He or she does
not take part in debates and votes only if there is a tie and a casting
vote is needed.
The Speaker also represents, or speaks
for, the House of Commons in its dealings with the monarch and has the
responsibility for maintaining the dignity and privileges of the
Commons.
Elected by all members of the House of
Commons, the Speaker is a respected senior MP. Once elected, however,
the Speaker ceases to represent any political party.
Traditionally, in the event of a general
election, the Speaker's seat is not contested - though Betty Boothroyd
was opposed by two minor parties in 1997.
Ancient title
The Speakership dates back under its
present title to 1377, when Sir Thomas Hungerford was appointed.
Equivalent presiding officers before this
time were called parlour or prolocutor, and existed as far back as 1258,
when Peter de Montfort is said to have presided over the "Mad
Parliament" held at Oxford.
The Speaker acts as chairman during
debates, and sees that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying
on of its business are observed.
In recent years Speakers have tended to
have three spells in the chair: 1430 to 1630, 1830 to 1930, and a period
near the end of the day. For the rest of the time, one of the deputies
will preside.
Reprimands offenders
It is the Speaker who selects members to
speak. He or she acts as the House's representative in its relations
with outside bodies, the House of Lords and the Crown.
It is also the Speaker who reprimands any
offender brought to the Bar of the House.
The Speaker is also responsible for
protecting the interests of minorities in the House.
The Speaker must preserve order in the
House.
For instance, an MP who makes an
allegation against another member, or uses language which the rules do
not permit, may be ordered to withdraw the remark concerned.
In the case of serious general disorder,
the sitting may have to be suspended.
In the event of disobedience by an MP,
the Speaker can "name" him or her, which will result in their
suspension from the House.
Speaker's House
The Speaker has an official residence at
the Westminster Bridge end of the Palace of Westminster.
From here begins a formal procession
before every sitting of the House, via the Library Corridor, the Lower
Waiting Hall, Central and Members' Lobbies to the Chamber.
The Speaker is preceded in the procession
by a Bar Doorkeeper and the Serjeant at Arms with the Mace, and followed
by the Chaplain, Secretary and Trainbearer.
Black silk robe
On normal sitting days, the Speaker wears
a black cloth court suit with linen bands, over which is worn a black
silk robe with train.
Betty Boothroyd decided against wearing
the full-bottomed wig used by her predecessors.
On state occasions, such as the opening
of parliament, he or she wears a robe of black satin damask trimmed with
gold, with a lace jabot at the neck and with lace frills at the sleeves.
The Speaker is paid a salary similar to
that of cabinet ministers.