Speaker of the House of Commons

The MP elected by the House of Commons to chair debates and maintain order.

Category: Parliament and elections Parliamentary procedure

Abbreviation: Speaker

Also used as: Speaker, Commons Speaker, the Speaker, Speaker of the House, Speaker of the House of Commons

Official website: Visit the Speaker of the House of Commons

Source / explainer: Read the UK Parliament glossary entry on the Speaker

Last reviewed: 23 August 2026

The Speaker of the House of Commons is an MP elected by other MPs to chair Commons debates, call members to speak and make sure the House’s rules are observed. The Speaker is central to questions, statements, debates and procedure, and may also be relevant where the House is recalled during a recess.

Related terms

House of CommonsThe elected chamber of the UK Parliament, made up of Members of Parliament.Question TimeThe period in a sitting when ministers answer oral questions from MPs or peers.Recall of the HouseAn arrangement for the House of Commons to meet during a recess in exceptional circumstances.Speaker’s WarrantThe formal instruction from the Speaker that leads to a new writ for a Commons by-election.Urgent QuestionA question allowed at short notice so a minister must come to the House and answer on an urgent matter.