The Lord Speaker presides over proceedings in the House of Lords chamber giving procedural advice and assistance.
The Lord Speaker acts as an ambassador for the House in the UK and abroad, explaining the work of the House of Lords and its contribution to Parliament. The Lord Speaker also represents the House of Lords on ceremonial occasions.
Independent of party politics, the Lord Speaker does not vote on proceedings in the House. On appointment, the holder of the role lays aside any party or group affiliation and refrains from all political activity.
Other duties:
- developing a programme of outreach activities that makes the work of the Lords and its Members more accessible to the public and easy to understand
- chairing the House Committee. the principal supervisory body for the House of Lords administration with particular responsibility for financial matters
- representing the House of Lords overseas and developing parliamentary relations in Commonwealth countries and with emerging parliamentary democracies
- attending international meetings of speakers of Parliaments
- attending and speaking at ceremonial occasions on behalf of the House of Lords, including meeting dignitaries and heads of state visiting Parliament
- maintaining formal responsibility for security in the Lords area of the parliamentary estate.
Election of the Lord Speaker
The Lord Speaker is elected by the Members of the House of Lords for a period of five years and can serve for no more than two terms. The current Lord Speaker is Baroness D’Souza, who was elected in July 2011. She is the second Lord Speaker. Baroness Hayman was the first Lord Speaker, elected in July 2006.
The position was created following the passing of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, which reformed the role of the Lord Chancellor who had previously presided over proceedings in the House of Lords chamber.
Further information