Our commissioners represent Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and four are put forward by the political parties in the House of Commons. They are known as ‘nominated commissioners’. 

The process for selecting the nominated commissioners is different, but all commissioners are equal.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Three of our commissioners have responsibility for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They make sure these areas are represented, especially when the law or processes are different.

Political parties

Nominated commissioners

Three of our commissioners were put forward by the Leaders of the three largest nominating parties, and the fourth is appointed from candidates put forward by the other parties.

Nominating parties are registered parties with two or more Members of the House of Commons.

Submitting and recommending the candidates

The Speaker gives the relevant party leaders the opportunity to submit the names and CVs of three candidates. They also have to submit evidence of the suitability for each candidate.

An independent panel reviews the information from the party leader, and interviews the candidates. The panel writes a report for the Speaker’s Committee, which evaluates the candidates.

The Speaker’s Committee then makes recommendations based on this report. Once the Speaker’s Committee makes the recommendations, the Speaker holds a statutory consultation with the relevant parties on the names of successful candidates.

After the consultation, the Speaker’s Committee reports its recommendation to the House of Commons, including the responses received in the statutory consultation.

The Speaker will ask the Leader of the House to table a motion for an humble Address to appoint the recommended candidates.

Appointing the commissioners

If the House agrees the motion, the Monarch appoints our commissioners by Royal Warrant.