John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, today told the House that his new deputy speakers should be elected by MPs.
From the BBC:
In a statement, he told MPs he wanted two deputy speakers from the government side and one from the opposition side.
He is believed to be concerned that following his own election by secret ballot last month the three deputies should also be elected.
Mr Bercow indicated he had consulted party whips, who normally appoint the deputy speakers, about the plan.
It is thought that Mr Bercow is looking to implement the changes – or to start the process of change – after the summer recess.
Electing the deputy speakers could raise a question of political balance – traditionally the Speaker and his three deputies have been chosen to reflect the strength of the various parties in the Commons.
The three current deputy speakers are Conservative MPs Sir Alan Haselhurst and Sir Michael Lord, who were both among the MPs defeated by Mr Bercow in the contest to be Speaker, and Labour’s Sylvia Heal, who did not stand.”
