Speaker’s Warrant - Project Open Gov

The formal instruction from the Speaker that leads to a new writ for a Commons by-election.

Category: Parliament and elections Parliamentary procedure

Also used as: Speaker's Warrant, Speaker’s warrant, Speaker's warrant, warrant from the Speaker

Source / explainer: Read the UK Parliament explainer on by-elections

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

A Speaker’s Warrant is part of the formal process for starting a Commons by-election. Where a seat is vacant, the Speaker may issue a warrant to the Clerk of the Crown so that a new writ can be made for electing an MP for the constituency. The term is technical, but useful for explaining the formal steps behind a by-election.

Related terms

By-electionAn election held to fill a seat that becomes vacant between general elections.Clerk of the CrownThe official involved in issuing election writs for parliamentary elections.Speaker of the House of CommonsThe MP elected by the House of Commons to chair debates and maintain order.Writ of ElectionThe formal document that authorises an election to fill a seat in the House of Commons.