Peter Milliken Re-elected

[politika]

The former house speaker retains his postition in the 39th parliment. Tell me how does this work, did Harper apoint him or does everyone in the house cast a vote to elect a speaker? If they do vote are they entitled to vote for whoever they want to no matter which party they are from?

Just curious as to how they elect speakers.

[geoffrey]

By secret ballot in the House. 3 people wanted the job, all Liberals. No CPC person would want the job as it would destroy a vote that they will desperately need.

The CPC backed Milliken as he has been seen as somewhat pro-Conservative in his rulings in the past parliament.

[politika]

By secret ballot in the House. 3 people wanted the job, all Liberals. No CPC person would want the job as it would destroy a vote that they will desperately need.

The CPC backed Milliken as he has been seen as somewhat pro-Conservative in his rulings in the past parliament.

Thanks,

I do have another question though, I noticed on the news Harper and Graham were draging him to his seat, somone told me that is what they do. Could you tell me the tradition and history behind it?

[geoffrey]

To this, I have no answer. I honestly have no clue, thats the first time I've ever seen that.

[August1991]

I do have another question though, I noticed on the news Harper and Graham were draging him to his seat, somone told me that is what they do. Could you tell me the tradition and history behind it?

It's an old tradition, in Canada at least.

The title 'Speaker' was first used in England centuries ago when the chairperson of the parliament was responsible for speaking to the monarch (king or queen) - telling him or her about decisions that parliament had made. Because the Speaker was the first to feel the monarch's anger if the decisions weren't to his or her liking, some Speakers literally had to be dragged to their chair and made to do their job. By tradition, a newly-elected Speaker is still expected to seem unwilling to take his place and is escorted to the chair by other members of the parliament.

Australian link