The existential crisis of the deputy speaker

Joe Comartin talks about his new gig.

Joe Comartin talks about his new gig.

“I can tell you, there’s times that I’ll be sitting on the chair – and I have to say it comes from both sides of the house – where somebody would be up saying something and in my mind I’d be saying, ‘That’s not right. That is factually not correct.’ Or ideologically or philosophically, I just don’t agree with that. And I want to say something, but of course I can’t.”

Comartin said his ultimate goal is to increase the decorum significantly in the house and bring about more civility. “I am quite determined – as is the Speaker – to speed up the changes that need to be made in the house to have more decorum,” said Comartin. “It’s just damaging to democracy and it’s certainly damaging to the reputation of politicians.”