Who is the Speaker of the House?
The Speaker of the House of Commons is the most authoritative figure in the chamber. During debates on legislative bills, the Speaker presides, determines which Members of Parliament may speak and decides which amendments may be proposed. Although the Speaker does not vote on bills, they declare the result of divisions and may cast a tie‑breaking vote when required.
Speakers maintain order by enforcing House rules, ensuring that MPs do not speak over one another and reprimanding those who use inappropriate language. They also possess powers of suspension, either of individual MPs for repeated disobedience or of the entire House when ordinary proceedings become impossible.
The modern Speaker is elected through a secret ballot. MPs vote for candidates regardless of party affiliation. If a candidate receives more than fifty per cent of the vote, they are proposed to the House. If not, candidates with the lowest support are eliminated, and further ballots are held until one candidate secures a majority.
Political neutrality is essential. Upon election, the Speaker resigns from their party and stands for re‑election solely as Speaker. Major parties traditionally do not contest the Speaker’s constituency to preserve the neutrality and continuity of the office.
Current and past Speakers
The present: Sir Lindsay Hoyle
Sir Lindsay Hoyle was elected Speaker in November 2019, resigning his position as Labour MP for Chorley, a seat he had held since 1997. Once described as “the embodiment of the UK Constitution,” Hoyle was a popular candidate, having served as Deputy Speaker since 2010. That role required political neutrality and entrusted him with significant responsibilities, including presiding over taxation bills and standing in for the Speaker during absences.
Hoyle’s conduct during the 2017 Westminster terrorist attack, when he was presiding over the House, earned him a knighthood. Since his election, he has already influenced parliamentary procedure, ruling that only amendments directly related to the Early Election Bill could be considered. Upon taking office, he stated that the House would “change, but it will change for the better,” and many hope he will reduce adversarial behaviour and challenge ministers who overstep constitutional boundaries.
The predecessor: John Bercow
John Bercow, who resigned in October 2019, served as Speaker from 2009 to 2019. Formerly a Conservative MP for Buckingham, he held roles in both shadow and government positions before becoming Speaker. Bercow is credited with modernising the role and empowering backbench MPs, particularly by expanding opportunities to question ministers and scrutinise government activity.
His assertive style attracted both praise and criticism, including allegations of bullying from some MPs. Although he announced his intention to resign in 2018, he remained in office until 31st October 2019, the date originally set for the UK’s departure from the European Union. Upon resignation, he was appointed Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead, the traditional mechanism allowing MPs to vacate their seat, as MPs cannot legally resign.
The past
The speakership dates back to 1377 with the appointment of Sir Thomas Hungerford. Historically, the Speaker acted as messenger to the Crown and was often blamed personally if parliamentary news displeased the monarch. Over time, the role evolved into a politically neutral arbiter of debate. Only one former Speaker besides Bercow remains alive today: Baroness Betty Boothroyd, the first and only woman to hold the office. She famously declined to wear the traditional Speaker’s wig and later became a Life Peer.
The legal side
The Speaker’s influence on the law is significant. By controlling which amendments may be considered during the passage of a bill, the Speaker can shape the early form of legislation. Although neutrality is required, the Speaker’s background as an MP raises the theoretical risk that political views could influence procedural decisions.
However, neutrality rules and constitutional conventions mitigate this risk. The Speaker’s role is to ensure that only productive amendments are considered, supporting the creation of functional legislation. Moreover, specialist bodies, rather than MPs, draft complex areas of law such as criminal offences and sentencing, limiting the Speaker’s influence on technical legal matters.
When casting tie‑breaking votes, the Speaker is bound by Speaker Denison’s rule, a constitutional convention requiring the Speaker to vote in favour of further debate rather than according to personal or political preference.
The Speaker’s disciplinary powers also have legal implications. Suspending an MP delays any bill they intended to introduce. Suspending the House halts legislative progress entirely. The prorogation of Parliament in October 2019 demonstrated how interruptions to parliamentary business can delay important reforms, such as proposed changes to divorce law.
The Speaker’s interpretative powers can also influence constitutional practice. During debates on Theresa May’s EU Withdrawal Bill, Bercow relied on a convention recorded in Erskine May’s parliamentary authority to prevent the government from reintroducing the same bill for a third time without substantial changes. This intervention forced reconsideration of the legal framework governing the UK’s departure from the European Union and contributed to ongoing uncertainty.
Conclusion
The Speaker’s ability to intervene in legislative debate has a direct impact on the legal framework of the United Kingdom. Early procedural decisions shape the laws that lawyers must later interpret and apply. As Sir Lindsay Hoyle begins his tenure, it remains to be seen whether his approach will mirror or diverge from that of his predecessors, and whether MPs will gain greater opportunities to scrutinise government legislation.
TSL will return next week with the final article in this series, examining the relationship between the judiciary and the political world.
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