Deputy Speaker / First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means

Dame Rosie Winterton MP

Rosie was brought up in Doncaster. She attended Doncaster Grammar School and Hull University, where she received a BA Hons in History.

Rosie was Head of Office for John Prescott MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 1994-97.

She has been the Member of Parliament for Doncaster Central since 1997 and was Minister at the Department of Health, Minister of State for Local Government, Minister of State for Regional Economic Development and Co-ordination and Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Rosie was made a Privy Counsellor in 2006 and was the Opposition Chief Whip from 2010 – 2016. She received her Damehood for public and political service in 2016.

Rosie was elected as Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Deputy Speaker) in June 2017 - November 2019 and as First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (Deputy Speaker) in January 2020 – present.

First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means role

They may take the Chair in the absence of the Chairmen of Ways and Means either in the Commons Chamber or in Westminster Hall, and exercise all the authority of the Speaker.

In Committee of the whole House, the Chair will be taken by a Deputy Chairman in the absence of the Chairman of Ways and Means.

The election rules for the Deputy Speakers state that the First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means is elected from the same side of the House as the Speaker.

Once elected, the Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means withdraws from an active political role.