2000 Speaker of the British House of Commons election candidate was able to surpass Martin in any of the ballots, and once all Martin's opponents had been eliminated from the contest, the original motion that he be elected Speaker was met with some audible opposition. A division was therefore held, but the motion was approved by 370 votes to 8. Martin was thus elected Speaker. 2000 Speaker of the British House of Commons election The 2000 election of the Speaker of the House of Commons occurred on 23 October 2000 after the retirement of Betty Boothroyd as Speaker. The election resulted in the election of Labour MP Michael Martin,
Speaker of the House of Commons (Canada) in the House of Commons, ultimately becoming party leader and Leader of the Opposition. On March 9, 2016 Liberal MP Mauril Bélanger served as honorary Speaker for about an hour to honour his years of service. Speaker Regan resumed his duties for the remainder of the sitting of the House. Mauril Bélanger was initially the front runner for the current role, but declined due to his being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Bélanger died on August 15, 2016, five months after being named honorary Speaker. The Speaker's counterpart in the upper house is the Speaker of the Senate of Canada.