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The Speaker and debates in Parliament

Study note

Debates in the House of Commons are chaired by an MP called the Speaker. The Speaker keeps order during debates, decides who may speak, and makes sure the rules of the Commons are followed. A key point is that the Speaker is politically neutral: although first elected as an MP, the Speaker does not take sides for any party while doing the job, and makes sure the opposing side gets a fair chance to be heard.

Parliament also has an official Opposition. This is the political party that has the second largest number of MPs in the House of Commons. The Opposition challenges the government and offers an alternative. For the test, remember that the Speaker chairs Commons debates and stays strictly neutral, while the second biggest party forms the Opposition.

Memory tip: The Speaker chairs the Commons and stays neutral; second-biggest party = the Opposition.

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Question 1 of 3

Who keeps order during debates in the House of Commons?

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Show all questions and answers for The Speaker and debates in Parliament(3 questions with explanations)

The Speaker and debates in Parliament: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Who keeps order during debates in the House of Commons?

    • The Prime Minister
    • The Lord Mayor
    • The Speaker
    • The monarch

    Correct answer: The Speaker

    The Speaker chairs debates in the Commons and is politically neutral.

  2. 2. What is the party with the second largest number of MPs called?

    • The Lords
    • The Opposition
    • The Cabinet
    • The Civil Service

    Correct answer: The Opposition

    The second largest party forms the official Opposition.

  3. 3. Which of these statements is correct?

    • The Speaker leads the governing party in the Commons
    • The Speaker keeps order in the Commons and is politically neutral

    Correct answer: The Speaker keeps order in the Commons and is politically neutral

    The Speaker chairs debates in the Commons and must remain politically neutral.

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