Speaker is the presiding officer in the lower house of several national, state, and provincial legislatures. The duties of the office differ in various legislatures.
In the United States,
the speaker of the House of Representatives can wield great power. The speaker is the leader of his or her political party in the House, as well as the presiding officer. The speaker need not be a member of the House, but no nonmember has ever held the post. The speaker is expected to use the office to promote the party. He or she ranks next after the vice president in order of presidential succession.
The early speakers considered themselves simply as presiding officers, and they tried to be impartial. Henry Clay, who was elected speaker in 1811, started the practice of using the office for party purposes. The office gained much political force under the strong personalities of Thomas B. Reed, who served as speaker from 1889 to 1891 and again from 1895 to 1899, and Joseph G. Cannon, who served as speaker from 1903 to 1911. At times, the speaker has been considered almost as important as the president.
In 1910, the speaker was removed from the Committee on Rules, and the speaker’s official right to appoint committees was taken away. Committee chairmen became more important than before, as they took over much of the power that had been lost by the speaker. In the 1970’s, the speaker’s powers were increased, making the speaker more important in national legislation. Another man with a forceful personality, Newt Gingrich, served as speaker from 1995 to 1999 and was one of the most powerful speakers since 1910. He demonstrated his power, in part, by persuading his fellow Republicans to allow him to choose the heads of key House committees. For a list of speakers and other information, see House of Representatives.
In Britain,
a speaker has presided over the House of Commons since at least 1377. The speaker should be a model of impartiality. He or she must rule according to the will of the majority but never permit the minority to be abused. The House elects each new speaker. It is the custom to reelect the same speaker in all Parliaments until the person dies or retires.
The office of speaker in the House of Commons has great dignity. When the speaker retires, he or she becomes a member of the nobility.
