Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales

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The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly for Wales (Welsh: Llywydd) is the Speaker of the National Assembly for Wales, elected by the Members of the National Assembly for Wales to chair their meetings (plenary sessions); to maintain order; and to protect the rights of Members.

He or she also heads the Corporate Body (known as the Assembly Commission) of the National Assembly for Wales and as such is viewed as a figurehead for the entire organisation. One Deputy Presiding Officer is elected to help fulfil the role. The office of the Presiding Officer is based in Crickhowell House and is also responsible for the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay.

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[edit] Role of the Presiding Officer

Lord Elis-Thomas,Plaid Cymru's two-term presiding officer
Lord Elis-Thomas,
Plaid Cymru's two-term presiding officer

The first and only person to hold the position is Lord Elis-Thomas, appointed in 1999, and then re-appointed in 2003 and 2007.

The main function is to chair plenary sessions of the Assembly, to maintain order and to protect the rights of Members. He or she is responsible for ensuring that business is handled on the basis of equality and impartiality.

The Presiding Officer is also responsible for Standing Orders and is the final authority on their interpretation. The Presiding Officer also acts as Chair of the National Assembly for Wales Commission, and has special responsibility for promoting democratic engagement, leadership, developing the Assembly’s future legislative powers and external relations

He or she is, along with the Deputy, politically responsible for all aspects of the Presiding Office to which the Standing Orders relate.

The Presiding Officer chairs meetings of the Panel of Subject Committee Chairs, where committee procedures and matters affecting Committee business are discussed. In addition to this, the Presiding Officer acts as the ambassador for the National Assembly, attending speaker’s conferences and other events in order to publicise and raise the profile of the Assembly

[edit] Presiding Officer

[edit] List of office holders

Name Picture Entered office Left office Political party Notes
The Rt Hon the Lord Elis-Thomas PC AM May 12, 1999 Plaid Cymru Appointed in 1999, and then re-appointed in 2003 and 2007.

[edit] Deputy Presiding Officer

[edit] List of office holders

Name Picture Entered office Left office Political party Notes
Jane Davidson AM May 12, 1999 October 17, 2000 Labour First Assembly. Resigned from post when she became a Government Minister
John Marek AM October, 2000 May, 2003 Labour First Assembly
John Marek AM May 7, 2003 May, 2007 Forward Wales Second Assembly
Rosemary Butler AM May 9, 2007 Incumbent Labour Third Assembly

[edit] See also

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