Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)

The speaker of the House of Commons is the chief officer and highest authority of the House of Commons, the house and chamber of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The current speaker, Barok van Zieks, was appointed Speaker on June 14, 2074, following the initial establishment of the House of Commons by then-interim Prime Minister Gladion Lee.

The speaker presides over the House's debates, determining which members may speak and which amendments are selected for consideration. The speaker is also responsible for maintaining order during debate, and may punish members who break the rules of the House. Speakers remain strictly non-partisan and renounce all affiliation with their former political parties when taking office and afterwards.

The speaker does not take part in debate or vote (except to break ties; and even then, the convention is that the speaker casts the tie-breaking vote according to Speaker Denison's rule which results either in further debate or a vote for the status quo). Aside from duties relating to presiding over the House, the speaker also performs administrative and procedural functions. In addition, they remain a constituency Member of Parliament (MP), are part of the Privy Council, and represent the Commons to the Monarch, the House of Lords and other authorities. The speaker has the right and obligation to reside in Speaker's House at the Palace of Westminster.