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Closed Limit the tenure of any speaker of the House of Commons to a maximum of 7 years

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This key role in the House of Commons can impact hugely on UK democracy. Speakers are re-elected after a general election. However as the UK now has 5 year fixed term parliaments, there are fewer opportunities to change the speaker, hence the need to limit tenure to a maximum of 7 years.

While a speaker can face a formal challenge immediately after a general election, traditionally sitting speakers are not challenged. Once in post there are few legal mechanisms for his/her removal other than trying to persuade him/her to resign. Until such time as Parliament devises new ways to ensure the Speaker's role is held accountable, it is important that we limit the tenure of this role.

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    This petition will stay open until 18 October 2019.