Can you control a debate in the House of Commons? The Speaker must keep order in the Chamber and be fair by calling the MPs to speak at the right times.
Aims By taking the role of the Speaker, pupils begin to understand: (a) that in order to be fair, debates need to be chaired according to a set of rules; and (b) the important role the Speaker has in the running of Parliament.
Learning outcomes
UsageSuitable for use by individual pupils or small groups. A classroom debate on one of the three issues raised could be held as a follow-up activity. It may be helpful to carry out a role play of the scenarios, by selecting an appropriate topic for debate and choosing pupils to act as the Speaker, ministers, backbenchers, opposition spokesperson etc.