Are Deputy Speakers Seats Contested at UK General Elections?

Are Deputy Speakers Seats Contested at a UK General Election?

Yes, the seats of the Deputy Speakers are contested at a UK General Election. Unlike the Speaker of the House of Commons, who by tradition is often not opposed by the major political parties, the three Deputy Speakers must campaign, face opponents, and win their constituency seats just like any other Member of Parliament.

While the Speaker seeks re-election as “Speaker seeking re-election,” Deputy Speakers stand as candidates for their specific political parties (e.g., Labour, Conservative, or Liberal Democrat). This means that are deputy speakers seats contested at a uk general election is a common point of confusion for voters who often conflate the neutral role of the Speaker with the slightly different status of their deputies.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways on Deputy Speaker Elections

• Mandatory Contests: Deputy Speakers face full competition in their local constituencies during every General Election.
• Party Affiliation: They remain members of their political parties, though they act with strict impartiality once in the Speaker’s Chair.
• Post-Election Vote: After the General Election, a separate secret ballot is held within the House of Commons to elect the three deputies.
• Balanced Representation: The roles are divided between the Government and the Opposition to ensure fairness in presiding over debates.

The Fundamental Difference: Speaker vs. Deputy Speakers

To understand why are deputy speakers seats in a general election uncontested is a myth, we must look at the constitutional roles. I have spent years tracking parliamentary procedure, and the distinction is vital for any political observer.

The Speaker of the House is the only MP who effectively “resigns” from their party to become completely neutral. In a General Election, the main parties (Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem) usually do not field candidates against the Speaker to preserve the office’s dignity.

In contrast, the Chairman of Ways and Means (the formal title for the First Deputy Speaker) and the two other deputies do not resign their party membership. They remain active party members in their constituencies, even if they must remain “quiet” and impartial while performing their duties in Westminster.

Comparison Table: Speaker vs. Deputy Speakers

The “Uncontested” Myth: Why Deputy Speakers Must Campaign

The question of whether are deputy speakers seats in a general election uncontested often arises because people see them acting with the same authority as the Speaker. However, there is no parliamentary convention that protects a Deputy Speaker’s seat.

In my experience monitoring local swing seats, a Deputy Speaker is often just as vulnerable as any other frontbench or backbench MP. If their party’s popularity dips or their local constituency boundaries change, they can lose their seat.

Real-World Examples of Contested Seats

In recent history, we have seen Deputy Speakers face fierce local battles. Because they cannot engage in partisan political “sniping” in the House, they often have to work twice as hard during the short campaign period to remind voters of their local impact.

1. Constituency Work: They must maintain a strong “casework” record.
2. Party Support: They rely on their local party associations for funding and canvassing.
3. Voter Scrutiny: Opponents often frame the Deputy Speaker’s impartiality as “silence,” forcing the candidate to explain their constitutional role to the electorate.

The Secret Ballot: How Deputy Speakers are Elected Post-General Election

Once the General Election is over and the new Parliament is formed, the focus shifts to the internal House of Commons election. This process is governed by Standing Order No. 2A.

The election of Deputy Speakers usually takes place within a few weeks of the State Opening of Parliament. It is a unique process that differs significantly from how the Prime Minister or the Speaker is chosen.

The Three Distinct Roles

There are three specific titles involved in this election:

1. The Chairman of Ways and Means: The most senior Deputy Speaker.


2. The First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means: The second senior role.


3. The Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means: The third senior role.

Step-by-Step Election Process

1. The Nominations: Candidates must be nominated by at least six (and no more than 10) fellow MPs. At least three of these must be from a different party than the candidate.
2. The Secret Ballot: MPs vote using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) or Alternative Vote system. This ensures that the winners have broad support across the House.
3. The Gender and Party Balance: This is the most complex part. The rules require that at least one man and one woman are represented among the Speaker and the three deputies. Furthermore, the roles must be split between the government side and the opposition side.

Why Party Balance Matters in Deputy Speaker Elections

A key reason why are deputy speakers seats contested at a uk general election is that their party identity is fundamental to the House’s balance of power.

If the Speaker was originally from an Opposition party, the Chairman of Ways and Means (First Deputy) must come from the Government side. The other two deputies are then split accordingly. This ensures that no single party “controls” the Chair and the flow of legislation.

The 2024 Election Context

In the wake of a General Election, the “party of the Speaker” is considered first. If the Speaker remains in place, the House then looks at the current majority.

• If the Speaker is from the Opposition: The Chairman of Ways and Means must be from the Government.
• If the Speaker is from the Government: The Chairman of Ways and Means must be from the Opposition.

This “leapfrog” system of party affiliation is why their original election as party-affiliated MPs is so critical.

Actionable Advice for Following Deputy Speaker Elections

If you are a student of politics, a journalist, or a concerned citizen, tracking these elections requires looking beyond the headlines. Here is how I recommend you monitor the process:

• Monitor the Order Paper: Watch the House of Commons Order Paper in the weeks following a General Election. The date for the Deputy Speaker ballot will be listed there.
• Check Standing Orders: For the “nitty-gritty” legal details, read Standing Order No. 2A and Standing Order No. 3.
• Follow the Ballot Results: The results are usually announced by the Speaker in the Chamber. They provide a fascinating look at which MPs are respected “across the aisle,” as the secret ballot often reveals cross-party alliances.

The Role of the Deputy Speaker: Beyond the Election

Once elected, the Deputy Speakers take on a heavy workload. While the Speaker handles the most high-profile sessions (like Prime Minister’s Questions), the deputies preside over:

• The Budget: The Chairman of Ways and Means traditionally presides over the Budget debates.
• Committee of the Whole House: They manage the detailed “clause-by-clause” scrutiny of major bills.
• Westminster Hall Debates: They oversee the secondary chamber where smaller, local issues are discussed.

Even though their seats were contested during the General Election, their conduct after the internal election must be beyond reproach. They cease to participate in party political broadcasts and do not ask questions in the House.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can a Deputy Speaker lose their seat in a General Election?

Yes. Since their seats are fully contested, they can be defeated by any rival candidate. If they lose their seat as an MP, they automatically lose their position as a Deputy Speaker and the House must elect a replacement from the newly elected MPs.

Do Deputy Speakers get a higher salary than regular MPs?

Yes. In addition to their basic MP salary, Deputy Speakers receive an additional salary to reflect their extra responsibilities. As of recent data, this is approximately £38,000 to £46,000 on top of the standard MP pay, depending on the specific deputy role held.

Why is the Speaker’s seat usually uncontested while the Deputy’s is not?

The Speaker represents the entire House and “belongs” to no party. If their seat were contested, they would have to campaign on party lines, which would destroy their perceived neutrality. Deputy Speakers, however, are seen as a “bridge” between the partisan floor and the neutral chair, so they maintain their party identity at the ballot box.

How many Deputy Speakers are there in the UK Parliament?

There are exactly three Deputy Speakers: the Chairman of Ways and Means, the First Deputy Chairman, and the Second Deputy Chairman. They are assisted by a panel of temporary chairs for smaller committees, but only these three are formally elected by the whole House.