Vikram Nair's speech on the Speaker independence
I think Mr Leong has made some references to the UK and the speaker there. I would say different countries may have different practices in selecting the Speaker. The UK has a practice of the Speaker resigning from his political party upon nomination and actually being "dragged", supposedly unwillingly, from this chair to take the seat of the Speaker. This is because of the history of the Speaker sometimes having to deliver uncomfortable news to the crown and for which he may face the consequences.
However, even though the Speaker may resign from his party upon nomination, it is clear that he still has the support of the party that commands the majority in Parliament and, in most cases, was a former member of that party. That would suggest his personal beliefs are likely to be aligned with the party he was a member of. Notwithstanding that, in the discharge of his duties, he is expected to be independent and impartial.
I think Mr Leong has made some references to the UK and the speaker there. I would say different countries may have different practices in selecting the Speaker. The UK has a practice of the Speaker resigning from his political party upon nomination and actually being "dragged", supposedly unwillingly, from this chair to take the seat of the Speaker. This is because of the history of the Speaker sometimes having to deliver uncomfortable news to the crown and for which he may face the consequences.
However, even though the Speaker may resign from his party upon nomination, it is clear that he still has the support of the party that commands the majority in Parliament and, in most cases, was a former member of that party. That would suggest his personal beliefs are likely to be aligned with the party he was a member of. Notwithstanding that, in the discharge of his duties, he is expected to be independent and impartial.
