Quiz on the Speaker of the House of Commons

Who elects the Speaker of the House of Commons?

• The Prime Minister

• All MPs in a secret ballot

• The general public

• The House of Lords

What is part of the Speaker's role?

• To always follow convention and customs.

• To support the executive (government).

• To set new conventions.

• To take political sides.

What is the role of the Speaker when there is a tie in votes?

• To abstain from voting

• To cast the deciding vote

• To call for a re-vote

• To pass the decision to the Prime Minister

Who was the Speaker of the House of Commons during Theresa May's government?

• Michael Martin

• Dominic Grieve

• John Bercow

• Sir David Natzler

What was the controversy surrounding John Bercow's ruling in January 2019?

• He refused to allow a Brexit debate

• He allowed an amendment to the government's motion

• He supported the Prime Minister's proposal

• He resigned from his position

What was the result of the amendment proposed by Dominic Grieve?

• It was accepted by a majority

• It was defeated by a record 230 votes

• It was postponed indefinitely

• It was supported by the Prime Minister

What was Theresa May's reaction to the Speaker's decision on a particular amendment?

• She supported it

• She was surprised

• She criticized it

• She ignored it

What was a criticism of Speaker John Bercow's handling of the Brexit debate amendment?

• The Speaker was defending the role of parliament.

• The Speaker's role is not to support the executive.

• The Speaker is not acting neutrally, but is taking political sides.

• The Speaker cannot always follow convention and customs.

What justification was given for Speaker Bercow's actions based on the result of the vote?

• The Speaker was obstructing the government.

• The Speaker's thinking was in line with the views of the House of Commons.

• The Speaker's behavior went against advice and precedent.

• The Speaker used the government's weakness to overstep boundaries.

What was one of the criticisms mentioned about Speaker Bercow's neutrality?

• The Speaker was defending the role of parliament.

• The Speaker's role is not to support the executive.

• The Speaker is not acting neutrally, but is taking political sides.

• The Speaker cannot always follow convention and customs.