Speaker of the House of Representatives (Austenasia)

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Speaker of the House of Representatives
Incumbent
Lord Andrew, Baron of Corinium Terentium

since 21 February 2024
StyleThe Right Honourable (Formal)
Mr./Mme. Speaker (Informal and within the House)
Member ofHouse of Representatives
Senate
AppointerHouse of Representatives
Term lengthIndefinite
Inaugural holderLord Charles Clarke, Duke of Grantabridge
Formation22 October 2014
SuccessionElection

The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the member of the House of Representatives of the Empire of Austenasia who presides over the sessions of the House. The Speaker is elected by a majority vote of the House of Representatives, and is referred to as "The Right Honourable" if they do not have a higher style. They serve as an ex officio Senator while in office.

The position of Speaker was created on 22 October 2014 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Act 2014. The office remained empty until the August 2015 local elections, after which Lord Charles Clarke was elected on 6 September 2015 as the first Speaker of the House. Six more Speakers have held the position since.

According to Paragraph 3 of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Act 2014, the Speaker has "the sole authority to maintain order in the House of Representatives, to preside over debates, to recognize motions, to count votes on motions, and to declare a motion passed or failed." Before the creation of the office of Speaker, its functions tended to be carried out by either the Monarch or Prime Minister. Should the position be vacant, its functions are to be exercised either by the Prime Minister or by another Representative nominated by the Prime Minister.

List of Speakers

Number Picture Name Town Took office Left office Notes
# Vacant 22 Oct 2014 6 Sep 2015 The office remained vacant for over ten months after its creation by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Act 2014, as said Act specified that the Speaker would be elected after a local election.
1 Lord Charles Clarke, Duke of Grantabridge Lichtenstein 6 Sep 2015 7 Mar 2016 Elected the first Speaker after the August 2015 local elections.
2 Lady Vice Admiral Elizabeth Lewis, Duchess of Bernardston Terentia 10 Mar 2016 11 Feb 2020 Elected the second Speaker after the resignation of Lord Charles. Lost the position upon the secession of Terentia.
3 Lord Edward Gunderson, Count of New Grémmia Dragovina 13 Feb 2020 29 May 2020 Elected Speaker following the February 2020 elections. Removed from office by Emperor Jonathan I after his assumption of emergency powers.
4 Lord William Wilson, Count of Oribrazos Nahona 1 Jun 2020 24 Feb 2021 Directly appointed Speaker at the nomination of the Prime Minister by Emperor Jonathan I under the provisions of his assumption of emergency powers. Was confirmed by the House in a vote of confidence on 21 June 2020. Resigned in February 2021.
5 Lord Ashley Jaax, Baron of Kingeston Kingeston 24 Feb 2021 22 Aug 2021 Elected the fifth Speaker after the resignation of Lord Wilson. Resigned in August later that year.
6 Lord Hunter Prater, Duke of Dixie New Flat Rock 22 Sep 2021 24 Aug 2022 Elected after a vacancy of a month, with the House hesitant to elect a new Speaker prior to the outcome of the 2021 general election being known. Stepped down in July 2022, but remained formally in office as a placeholder (with the Prime Minister presiding over the House instead) until the election of his successor.
7 Lord John Gordon, Viscount of Thetford Palasia 24 Aug 2022 12 Feb 2024 Elected after the resignation of Lord Prater. Automatically vacated the office upon election as Prime Minister.
8 Lord Andrew, Baron of Corinium Terentium Britain and Ireland Division 21 Feb 2024 Incumbent Newly elected Speaker.