During political debates, who is responsible for maintaining order and ensuring that rules are adhered to?

Okay, so when you think about political debates, especially in the House of Commons, things can get pretty lively! That's where the Speaker comes in. The Speaker is essentially the referee of debates. Their main job isn't to participate in the debate itself, but to make sure everyone follows the rules. This includes things like ensuring people speak in turn, don't interrupt each other, and generally behave in a respectful manner. The role dates back centuries, evolving from someone who simply presented the views of the House to the monarch, to the impartial figure we know today. While the Prime Minister is the head of the government and the Queen is the head of state, neither of them are responsible for the day-to-day management of debates. And Hansard? That's the official record of parliamentary debates, not a person maintaining order. So, the Speaker is the one in charge of keeping order and making sure the debate runs smoothly.