STAYING IMPARTIAL
Deputy Speakers support the Speaker in overseeing the House and preside over sittings in the Speaker’s absence.
Unlike the Speaker, those who carry out duties as deputy switch between that role and being a backbench MP in the chamber. In the latter function, they participate in debates and vote on legislation and motions, while in the former role, they do not and have to remain impartial. This is a challenge faced by all deputy speakers.
Addressing the “elephant in the room”, Mr Xie said there is no conflict between the impartiality expected of him as Deputy Speaker, and his position as an MP from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).
“I am a government MP from the PAP. But I think it’s very clear to me, to everybody, to all members in the House – and I think I speak also for (the) Speaker and for Mr de Souza – when we assume the chair, we take on the role of the chair,” he said.
“The essential requirement of that role is to be completely impartial and to preside over proceedings in a fair and balanced manner.
“On that count, there is no conflict and I think it’s perfectly reconcilable,” he said.
This also extends to his roles in the PAP’s government parliamentary committees (GPCs), said Mr Xie.
GPCs are groupings within the PAP with the stated aim of scrutinising policy and legislation. They are not parliamentary bodies.
Mr Xie is the GPC chair for social and family development, and deputy GPC chair for national development.
He stressed that his positions in the GPCs are party appointments given to him as a government MP, and that there is no conflict.
Any issues related to GPC portfolios would be taken on as a government MP. “And I’ll do so faithfully, and do so to the best of my abilities,” he said.
“But when I take the chair, I obviously won’t bring these issues or matters to the chamber from the chair.”
