Speaker of the British House of Commons

In the United Kingdom, the Speaker of the House of Commons is the presiding officer of the Lower House of Parliament, the House of Commons, and is seen historically as the First Commoner of the Land. The current Speaker is The Right Honourable Michael Martin MP, who took office in 2000 and was re-elected on 11 May 2005 following the 2005 general election.

Precedence and privileges

The Speaker is one of the highest-ranking officials in the United Kingdom. By an Order-in-Council issued in 1919, the Speaker ranks in the order of precedence above all non-royal individuals except the two archbishops of the Church of England, the Prime Minister, the Lord Chancellor, and the Lord President of the Council.

Related Topics:
Order-in-Council - 1919 - Order of precedence - Archbishop - Church of England - Lord President of the Council

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As of 2005, the Speaker receives a salary of £72,862, in addition to his or her salary as a Member of Parliament. The Speaker's salary is equal to that of a Cabinet Minister. The Speaker is also provided with official apartments in the Palace of Westminster, the home of both Houses of Parliament. Each day, prior to the sitting of the House of Commons, the Speaker and other officials travel in procession from the apartments to the Chamber. The procession includes the Doorkeeper, the Serjeant-at-Arms, the Speaker, a trainbearer, the Chaplain, and the Speaker's Private Secretary. The Serjeant-at-Arms attends the Speaker on other occasions, and in the House; he bears a ceremonial mace that symbolises the royal authority under which the House meets, as well as the authority of the House of Commons itself.

Related Topics:
As of 2005 - £ - Serjeant-at-Arms - Ceremonial mace

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Customarily, Speakers are appointed to the Privy Council upon election. Thus, the present and former Speakers are entitled to the style "The Right Honourable." Upon retirement, Speakers were traditionally elevated to the House of Lords as viscounts. The last Speaker to receive a viscountcy was George Thomas, who became Viscount Tonypandy upon his retirement in 1983. Since that year, it has instead been normal to grant only life baronies to retiring Speakers.

Related Topics:
Privy Council - Viscount - George Thomas - 1983

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