What is the speaker of the house of commons?

The Speaker of the House of Commons is the MP who chairs debates and keeps order in the chamber. The Speaker is elected by fellow MPs and must be politically impartial, giving up their party membership. The Speaker decides who speaks, rules on procedure and can suspend MPs for bad behaviour.

The role dates back to the 1300s. A new Speaker is elected by secret ballot at the start of a new Parliament or when the post becomes vacant. Once elected, they stop being a member of their party. They do not vote, except to break a tie, and then follow set conventions. At general elections the main parties traditionally do not stand against the Speaker. The Speaker calls MPs to speak, chooses which amendments are debated, and grants urgent questions. The famous cry of 'Order! Order!' is used to calm the chamber. Three Deputy Speakers help, and they come from both sides of the House. The Speaker also decides whether to grant emergency debates. Their rulings on procedure cannot be challenged in the chamber. The Speaker lives in an official residence inside the Palace of Westminster.