Speaker of the House of Commons facts for kids
A Speaker of the House of Commons is a very important person in a country's parliament. Think of them like a referee in a sports game. Their main job is to make sure debates are fair and that everyone follows the rules. They help keep order and make sure all members of the parliament get a chance to speak.
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What Does a Speaker Do?
The Speaker is chosen by the members of the House of Commons. This is a part of the government where elected officials meet to make laws. The Speaker must be fair to everyone, no matter which political party they belong to. They do not vote on laws, except in a tie. This helps them stay neutral.
The Speaker's duties include:
- Keeping order during debates.
- Making sure rules are followed.
- Calling on members to speak.
- Representing the House of Commons.
- Protecting the rights of all members.
The Speaker in the United Kingdom
The role of the Speaker in the United Kingdom is very old. It started a long time ago in England. Over the years, as the country changed, so did the title.
Historically, this role included:
- The Speaker of the House of Commons of England, before 1707.
- The Speaker of the House of Commons of Great Britain, from 1707 to 1800.
- The Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, from 1801 until today.
The UK Speaker sits in the Palace of Westminster. They wear special robes and a wig for formal occasions.
The Speaker in Canada
Canada also has a Speaker for its House of Commons. This role began in 1867 when Canada became a country. The Canadian Speaker has similar duties to the UK Speaker. They make sure debates are orderly and fair. They also represent the House of Commons in Canada.
The Speaker in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland used to have its own parliament. It had a Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons. This role was important for managing debates there. This parliament was active for many years.
