Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Mr Speaker
A special moment today as I sat - for the very first time, as an MP - in the Chamber of the House of Commons, when Parliament was sitting. We were there to elect the Speaker. You couldn't have a better example of the tradition and customs of the Commons on such a day. The Speaker is chosen by the House, and then dragged symbolically to the Speaker's Chair. There are then speeches from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The traditions, whilst seeming archaic in some ways, are the glue that binds Britain's parliamentary democracy. It gives our Parliament a deep sense of legitimacy and trust.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
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Lucky you, it must have been quite a moving experience to finally get to the chamber after 10 years of trying. I agree with you about the importance of our parliamentary traditions. Good to see that even a bit of a rebel like Ken Clarke respects these too: when he opted to wear the Lord Chancellor's wig and gown after his apppointment. Well done Ken!
ReplyDeleteNew Labour did their utmost to erode our parliamentary traditions, Blair even abolished the office of Lord Chancellor - and look how that ended up. Blair merely exposed his ignorance in the most public manner when he was forced to reappoint to the position as government could not do without it.