The Lord Speaker's role
The Rt Hon the Lord McFall of Alcluith was elected by members of the House of Lords in April 2021 as the fourth Lord Speaker and took office on 1 May 2021.
The Lord Speaker oversees proceedings in the Lords chamber and plays a key role in the governance of the House. The Lord Speaker also acts as an ambassador for the Lords at home and abroad, explaining and promoting the work of the House of Lords and its contribution to the UK's parliamentary system.
Lord Speaker's duties
The Lord Speaker's duties include:
- Presiding over business in the Lords chamber from the Woolsack.
- Chairing the House of Lords Commission, which provides high-level strategic and political direction for the House of Lords Administration on behalf of the House.
- Co-chairing, with the Speaker of the House of Commons, the R&R Client Board. Established in 2022, the board is responsible for making critical strategic choices and recommendations relating to the restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster.
- Taking formal responsibility for security in the Lords area of the parliamentary estate.
- Coordinating a programme to engage the public in the work and role of the Lords.
- Attending and speaking at state and ceremonial occasions on behalf of the Lords.
- Representing the Lords to overseas parliaments, attending conferences with speakers of other parliaments, sharing best practice and developing links between parliaments.
Lord Speaker's role in the chamber
The Lord Speaker is the presiding officer in the House of Lords and may advise on procedural matters. However, as the House of Lords is self-regulating, he has no power to call members to order, to decide who speaks next, or to select amendments, but does call amendments, collect the voices and call for divisions (votes) when necessary.
Deputy Speakers assist the Lord Speaker and sit on the Woolsack in the Lord Speaker's absence. They are all members of the Lords and, with the exception of the Senior Deputy Speaker, may continue to engage in party politics while serving as Deputies.
Away from the chamber
The Lord Speaker meets routinely with key members of the House of Lords, including the leaders of the four main groups, the Chief Whip, the Senior Deputy Speaker and the panel of Deputy Speakers. He also has regular meetings with the Speaker of the House of Commons, with officials working for the House of Lords and for Parliament's shared services.
He meets frequently with other members of both Houses and with visitors to the Lords.
How the Lord Speaker is elected
The Lord Speaker is elected by members of the House of Lords for a period of five years, renewable once. The first election took place on 4 July 2006 when Baroness Hayman took office.
Upon election, the successful Lord Speaker becomes unaffiliated from any party and is not expected to vote, even in the event of a tie.
The post of Lord Speaker was created under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. Previously, the Lord Chancellor presided over debates in the House of Lords.
Further information
Image: House of Lords 2021 / Roger Harris
