Modern India

The “Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker” principle might have been designed to promote impartiality but may also prove a boon and a bane to efficient parliamentary business management in India.

Advantages:

It would highly increase the impartiality of the Speaker because there would be no chance of ever returning to active party politics and, hence, any perceived or actual biases that may result from future political ambitions.

Strengthen Democratic Norms: This convention would strengthen the non-partisan character of the office of the Speaker, hence improving the democratic process and further instilling confidence in the institution among the people.

Reduced Impact of Political Pressure: Since there is no hope of political benefits in the future, the Speaker may not be under so much pressure to make political decisions but rather make impartial ones.

It may be considered a limitation of the political career of someone holding the office of Speaker, thereby discouraging men and women of good standing from holding such an office.

-Potential Not to Join Party After Term Has Been Completed: The potential not to join their party once their term has been served would reduce the incentive for highly qualified people to seek the position of Speaker.

Detachment from Political Realities: A Speaker permanently disconnected in active politics may become disoriented from the dynamic political scenario and thus would not be able to efficiently preside over the business of parliament and understand the nuances of contemporary political oratory.

Constitutional Issues: It may even attract constitutional questions because it can breach one’s right to associate oneself or oneself with political activity.

Alternative approaches to the “Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker” principle can be utilized to neutralize the office of the Speaker as follows:

-Strengthening the existing norms and conventions: It could be in focusing on strengthening existing norms and conventions governing the office of the Speaker to be directed toward non-partisanship and impartiality.

-Public awareness of the importance of the Speaker’s neutrality as well as to the need of maintaining the office dignity.
-Policies on periodical and clear review of conduct of the Speaker so that judgment is perceived not to be arbitrary and concerns will be addressed.