Speaker Denison's rule
Encyclopedia
Speaker Denison's rule is a constitutional convention
established by 19th century Speaker of the British House of Commons, John Evelyn Denison
, as to how the Speaker decides on his casting vote
in the event of a tie.
The principle is to always vote in favour of further debate, or, where no further debate is possible, to vote in favour of the status quo. For example, the Speaker will vote:
Speaker Denison's rule is now a guiding principle in many other bodies which have neutral chairpersons.
Constitutional convention (political custom)
A constitutional convention is an informal and uncodified procedural agreement that is followed by the institutions of a state. In some states, notably those Commonwealth of Nations states that follow the Westminster system and whose political systems derive from British constitutional law, most...
established by 19th century Speaker of the British House of Commons, John Evelyn Denison
John Evelyn Denison, 1st Viscount Ossington
John Evelyn Denison, 1st Viscount Ossington PC was a British statesman. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1857 to 1872.-Background and education:...
, as to how the Speaker decides on his casting vote
Casting vote
A casting vote is a vote given to the presiding officer of a council or legislative body to resolve a deadlock and which can be exercised only when such a deadlock exists...
in the event of a tie.
The principle is to always vote in favour of further debate, or, where no further debate is possible, to vote in favour of the status quo. For example, the Speaker will vote:
- In favour of early readings of bills
- Against amendments to bills
- Against the final enactment of a bill
- Against motions of no confidence
Speaker Denison's rule is now a guiding principle in many other bodies which have neutral chairpersons.