Role of Speaker

[Simbu]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone can clarify something for me? My understanding of the role of speaker is that they must be apolitical, holding no prejudices or preferences in their management of the Commons. I know that John Bercow previously sat on the Conservative benches and my assumption was that as part of his acceptance of the role of speaker he gives up his party loyalty.

But today i see him winning the seat of Buckingham for the Conservatives, so my assumption is clearly incorrect. So, is the speaker politically neutral? And if so, how can this be if they are representing a party as an MP in a constituency?

[mcdjl]

My understanding is that they're effectively the chairman to ensure that everyone behaves and follows the rules.

[SJobson]

Seems unfair that the constituency of Buckingham is not properly represented too.

[bonsai]

He doesn't vote in the Commons.

[mattviatura]

Bercow wants a boot up his low-level arse.

[Lurking Lawyer]

By convention, the Speaker is unopposed in his constituency, so it's really just a formality which party he is expressed as standing for. Of course, that didn't stop Farage standing against Bercow....

I don't think anyone really believes that the Speak becomes TRULY apolitical. Yes, they're supposed to exercise their function without obvious prejudice or favour, but we know it doesn't really work like that in real life. Just look at the last bloke and the number of times he let Winkie off the hook when debates were getting a bit uncomfortable for him!

[lowndes]

Speaker and three deputies are neutral. However, for the purpose of calculating House of Commons majority they each count toward their respective original parties.

[HiRich]

Lurking Lawyer said:

I don't think anyone really believes that the Speak becomes TRULY apolitical. Yes, they're supposed to exercise their function without obvious prejudice or favour, but we know it doesn't really work like that in real life. Just look at the last bloke and the number of times he let Winkie off the hook when debates were getting a bit uncomfortable for him!

There is a strong tradition of genuine, scrupulous impartiality up to quite recent times (George Thomas, Betty Boothroyd). It has just been badly abused by recent incumbents, and the process of their election.

[ninja-lewis]

IIRC the Speaker is dutybound to vote for the status quo (i.e. against a bill typically) in the event of a tied vote.

[Lurking Lawyer]

HiRich said:

There is a strong tradition of genuine, scrupulous impartiality up to quite recent times (George Thomas, Betty Boothroyd). It has just been badly abused by recent incumbents, and the process of their election.

Fair point - I perhaps should have said that no-one expects the Speaker to be apolitical ANY MORE, after that cretin Martin.