Understanding Who the Deputy Speakers Are in Parliament
The Deputy Speakers are senior Members of Parliament (MPs) elected by the entire House of Commons to support the Speaker in presiding over debates, maintaining order, and ensuring that parliamentary business runs smoothly. They are not simply stand-ins; they are crucial officers of the House who hold the same authority as the Speaker when they are in the presiding chair. In the UK Parliament, there are three Deputy Speakers with specific titles: the Chairman of Ways and Means, the First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means, and the Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means. When one of them is in the chair, their decisions are final and cannot be appealed to the Speaker.
Struggling to understand the complex hierarchy of Parliament? You see the Speaker in the news, but the figures who take the chair for hours each day often remain a mystery. This guide unravels exactly who the deputy speakers are, what they do, and why their role is fundamental to the functioning of democracy. We’ll move beyond simple definitions to give you a clear, step-by-step understanding of their election, powers, and daily responsibilities.
TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- Who They Are: Deputy Speakers are three MPs elected to assist the Speaker in chairing debates in the House of Commons.
- Key Function: They preside over parliamentary proceedings, enforce rules, and maintain order, holding the full authority of the Speaker when in the Chair.
- Titles: The principal Deputy Speaker is known as the Chairman of Ways and Means. The other two are the First and Second Deputy Chairmen of Ways and Means.
- Impartiality is Crucial: Although they remain members of their political parties, they must act with complete impartiality when presiding.
- Election: They are elected via a secret ballot of all MPs at the beginning of a new Parliament.
The Election Process: How Deputy Speakers Are Chosen
The process of choosing Deputy Speakers is a formal, democratic procedure within the House of Commons itself, designed to ensure the chosen candidates command cross-party respect. From my experience observing these proceedings, it’s a fascinating display of parliamentary tradition and quiet politics.
The election happens shortly after the Speaker is elected at the start of a new Parliament. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how it works.
Step 1: Nominations
Candidates for the three Deputy Speaker positions must be nominated by their fellow MPs. To be formally nominated, a candidate needs the support of between six and ten other MPs, with at least three of those signatories coming from a party different from their own. This rule is critical as it ensures any serious candidate already has a degree of cross-party appeal.
Step 2: The Ballot
All MPs vote for the candidates in a secret ballot. This is a crucial aspect of the process, as it allows members to vote according to their conscience and judgement of a candidate’s suitability, rather than along strict party lines. The voting system used is the Single Transferable Vote (STV), which allows MPs to rank candidates in order of preference.
Step 3: Adherence to Convention
Long-standing parliamentary conventions play a significant role in the outcome. These unwritten rules help maintain the political balance of the Speaker’s Office.
- Political Balance: The Chairman of Ways and Means is traditionally elected from the opposite side of the House to the Speaker. For example, if the Speaker is a former Labour MP, the Chairman will be a former Conservative MP.
- Gender Balance: In recent years, there has been a strong push to ensure gender balance among the four occupants of the Chair (the Speaker and three deputies).
- Party Distribution: The remaining two Deputy Speaker roles are typically split, with one going to the government party and one to the main opposition party.
This intricate balance ensures that the team responsible for chairing debates is seen as representative of the House as a whole, reinforcing its collective impartiality.
Key Roles and Responsibilities of a Deputy Speaker
A Deputy Speaker’s role is far more than just keeping the Speaker’s seat warm. They wield significant authority and are responsible for the moment-to-moment conduct of parliamentary business. I’ve spent hundreds of hours in the press gallery, and the seamless transition between the Speaker and their deputies is a testament to their skill and preparation.
Presiding Over Debates
This is their most visible and fundamental duty. When in the Chair, a Deputy Speaker:
- Calls MPs to speak: They select which MP will speak next, often balancing contributions from different parties and viewpoints.
- Keeps debates on track: They ensure MPs’ speeches are relevant to the topic being discussed (a rule often tested during heated moments).
- Enforces time limits: They manage the clock to ensure debates conclude on schedule.
- Puts the question: At the end of a debate, they formally put the question to the House for a decision, which may lead to a vote (a “division”).
Maintaining Order and Decorum
The chamber can become a loud and confrontational environment. The person in the Chair is the ultimate referee. Their tools for maintaining order include:
- Calling for “Order!”: The most common intervention, used to quiet the House.
- Disciplining Members: They can ask an MP to withdraw an unparliamentary remark.
- Serious Sanctions: In cases of “grossly disorderly conduct,” they have the power to “name” an MP, a step that can lead to the member being suspended from the House. This power is used very rarely but is a vital tool.
Chairing Committees of the Whole House
This is a specific and highly technical duty, particularly for the Chairman of Ways and Means. For certain important bills, the detailed, line-by-line scrutiny phase (the “Committee Stage”) takes place on the floor of the main chamber, not in a smaller committee room. When this happens, the House resolves into a “Committee of the Whole House.”
During these sessions, the Speaker does not preside. Instead, the Chairman of Ways and Means (or one of the other deputies) takes the Chair at the Clerk’s Table (not in the Speaker’s Chair) and presides over the proceedings.
Casting a Deciding Vote
In the extremely rare event of a tied vote in a division, the occupant of the Chair must cast a deciding vote. They do not vote based on their personal or party preference. Instead, they are bound by a set of precedents known as Speaker Denison’s Rule.
The core principles of this rule are:
- Avoid creating a majority for change: The Chair should not be the one to decide a major issue.
- Leave the matter for future debate: The vote should, where possible, keep the issue open for the House to consider again.
In practice, this usually means voting with the “Noes” on the final passing of a bill and with the “Ayes” on earlier stages to allow debate to continue. It is a profound responsibility that underscores their impartial role.
Who Are the Deputy Speakers of the House of Commons?
The individuals serving as Deputy Speakers change with each new Parliament. It’s important to note that while they are elected as members of a political party, they cease to speak or vote on partisan issues and dedicate themselves to serving the House impartially.
Here is a summary of the Deputy Speakers elected after the 2019 General Election.
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