Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, has been elected to the post of Chairman of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker.
The principal Deputy Speaker is the Chairman of Ways and Means, who is elected from the opposite side of the House to the Speaker.
By convention, they chair the Budget debate, have responsibility for the selection of amendments during Committee of the whole House and supervise the arrangement of business in Westminster Hall, the House of Commons’ parallel chamber.
The Chairman of Ways and Means also oversees the Panel of Chairs. The panel is responsible for chairing Public Bill Committees and other General Committees, as well as Westminster Hall debates
Judith Cummins, and Caroline Nokes were elected to the posts of First Deputy and Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.
Nusrat Ghani said: "I'm delighted to have secured the confidence of MPs across The House & to have been elected as The Chairman of Ways & Means, Deputy Speaker of UK House of Commons. I’m honoured to have made a bit of British history as the first ethnic minority MP to serve in The Chair & I hope it inspires the next generation of women. I look forward to working with colleagues & The Speaker on Parliamentary integrity, security & impartiality."
The link to the announcement in Hansard is available here.
Below is the press release from The Speaker's office, shared on 23 July 2024
Sir Lindsay Hoyle expressed his delight that for the first time ever he has an all-female and the most diverse line-up of Deputy Speakers.
Nusrat Ghani, Judith Cummins, and Caroline Nokes were elected to the posts of Chairman of Ways and Means, First Deputy and Second Deputy in a secret ballot of MPs.
Mr Speaker said: ‘This Parliament is breaking more glass ceilings than ever before, with the biggest number of women MPs ever – and now an all-female team of Deputies.
‘All three MPs are incredible politicians who are well-respected by this House, and I am looking forward to working with them.’
Nusrat Ghani is the Conservative MP for Sussex Weald and was first elected in 2015. In the last Parliament she held Ministerial positions in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Department for Business and Trade.
Judith Cummins is the Labour MP for Bradford South and was first elected in 2015. In the last Parliament she was on the Panel of Chairs, the body responsible for chairing Public Bill Committees and Westminster Hall debates, and has previously chaired debates in the Commons.
Caroline Nokes is the Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton North and has been an MP since 2010. She was Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee in the last Parliament and has previously served as a Home Office Minister.
The full results of the election can be accessed here (pdf, 57KB).
What is the role of the Deputy Speakers?
All Deputy Speakers assist the Speaker in his duties in the chair and exercise this authority while doing so.
The principal Deputy Speaker is the Chairman of Ways and Means, who is elected from the opposite side of the House to the Speaker.
By convention, they chair the Budget debate, have responsibility for the selection of amendments during Committee of the whole House and supervise the arrangement of business in Westminster Hall, the House of Commons’ parallel chamber.
The Chairman of Ways and Means also oversees the Panel of Chairs. The panel is responsible for chairing Public Bill Committees and other General Committees, as well as Westminster Hall debates.
Once elected, Deputy Speakers remain in office until the next general election, unless they resign or otherwise cease to be an MP. They also withdraw from an active political role.
How are Deputy Speakers elected?
The Deputy Speakers are elected using the single transferable vote system.
Two of the Deputy Speakers must come from the opposite side of the House to side from which the Speaker came: they are the Chairman of Ways and Means and the Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.
One of the Deputy Speakers must come from the same side of the House as the side from which the Speaker came: they are the First Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means.
At least one man and at least one woman must be elected across the four posts of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
The original press release is available here.
