Speaker of the House of Commons

The office was first held by Sir Peter de la Mare, knight for Herefordshire, in the 'Good Parliament' of 1376. It is so-called because the Commons refused to grant the crown any new taxes until its grievances had been addressed. In the dispute with Edward III and his appointees Sir Peter was able to act as spokesman for the Commons as a whole, and with this demonstration of collective strength the Commons prevailed.

It didn't retain the upper hand for long, however: as soon as parliament was dissolved John of Gaunt, son of Edward III and the most powerful magnate in England, had Sir Peter imprisoned and the next speaker, elected in 1377, was Sir Thomas Hungerford, John of Gaunt's steward. He presided over what came to be known as the 'Bad Parliament' which reversed most of the gains of the previous year and introduced a 'poll-tax'.

The office of Speaker continued to be fought over by Crown and Commons for many centuries. In 1629, Speaker Finch took the king's line as he declared "I am not less the king's servant for being yours". In 1642 Speaker Lenthall placed the interests of the Commons to the fore, proclaiming "I have neither eyes to see, nor tongue to speak in this place, but as the House is pleased to direct me".

Once the primacy of parliament had been established following the civil wars of the seventeenth century, the office continued to be a political football between the parties. It was not until 1841 that Peel, leader of the Conservatives, allowed the unopposed re-election of a Liberal Speaker because he saw the office as being above party politics.

The Speaker today must act independently of party and is the presiding officer or spokesperson of the Commons. He or she rules on procedure, has the power to limit debate and to call members to speak, acting always to protect the interests of the House. Other functions are to maintain order, sign warrants of committal for contempt, reprimand members when necessary, and sign warrants for by-election writs. The Speaker doesn't vote unless a vote is tied.

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