A Non-political Question About British Politics

[BigDon]

I was up very early the other day (3AM local) and the only thing on the TV that had any interest for me was C-Span showing Tony Blair speaking live at (I think) was the House of Commons. Two multi-tiered groups of seats facing each other with a high judge-like figure in a powdered wig at one end and a table on the floor between the two sets of seats. Talking about medical care reform IIRC.

My question is: The people standing up and sitting down. At first I thought it was just them rising to be recognized after somebody else had finished speaking so that they may be given a turn at speaking. After watching several rounds of this I saw that this wasn't the case, that some people were popping up and sitting back down even after someone else had been given the go ahead to talk. And, well after a bit, it started to look a little funny.

Can someone explain what I was looking at?

[jumbo]

At first I thought it was just them rising to be recognized after somebody else had finished speaking so that they may be given a turn at speaking.
I think you are actually right here. An MP may speak if the speaker (The guy who looks like a judge) permits him and calls for his opinion on a subject. The standing is an attempt to catch the speakers attention. I think the standing happens alsorts of times when an MP wishes to mke a point and feels most likely to have the attention of the speaker.

Its a contrast to the house of lords where the occupants appear to have slipped into nice comfortable afternoon naps most of the time!

[Vermonter]

I haven't watched the House of Commons, I should see if they have a live feed of it sometime. I've watched the House and Senate a few times, and got pretty bored.

[pghnative]

I haven't watched the House of Commons, I should see if they have a live feed of it sometime. I've watched the House and Senate a few times, and got pretty bored.I think it is on frequently, particularly the "Question period" or whatever it is called, during which they get to interrogate the prime minister mercilessly, and (s)he gets to answer back in kind. Happens at least once a week, I believe.

No matter which political party you belong to, it is fun to imagine past, current and future Congresses being able to do the same. (I'll urge posters not to speculate further, lest we violate the politics rules)

[Frog march]

yes, it's called 'Question time' and it happens every Wednesday at noon(UK).

[PhantomWolf]

If it's like ours, and ours was supposed to be based on the British model, they stand up to make a point or interjec, as in theory they should be on their feet and called by the Speaker of the House before they can speak. Of course this is only in theory and our's often turns into a shouting match that would make a kindergarten fulled with ADHD affected 4-year olds on candy and icecream look decidedly well behaved.

[mugaliens]

With today's technology, I'm suprised we haven't moved to an automated Delphi Approach (http://www.ecfc.u-net.com/cost/delph.htm).

[Big Brother Dunk]

If it's like ours, and ours was supposed to be based on the British model, they stand up to make a point or interjec, as in theory they should be on their feet and called by the Speaker of the House before they can speak. Of course this is only in theory and our's often turns into a shouting match that would make a kindergarten fulled with ADHD affected 4-year olds on candy and icecream look decidedly well behaved.
You must be from Canada.
:D

[MG1962A]

You must be from Canada.



I thought he was talking about Australia lol

[Moose]

You must be from Canada.
:D

He certainly could be. *chuckle*

I have a private hypothesis that so long as Canadian politics are a bit goofy, things are working well. All is as it should be. If we ever have to stop and take our politics entirely seriously, we can be sure we're in real trouble.

I particularly enjoyed the two months of flag-wavy Bloc-baiting as hosted by our friends of the former Refoooooorm Party as the Loyal Opposition under Preston Manning. Hee-hee, what a collosal waste of time that was. We may never have had it better. :p Certainly not in my lifetime.

[The Supreme Canuck]

I like a good rowdy debate. Keeps things in perspective. Anyway, that's just QP. It's all showboating. Voting and committee are much more serious.

[lti]

So canadian and australian parliaments are just as pathetics as NZ's are they? Gives me some solace.

[AGN Fuel]

So canadian and australian parliaments are just as pathetics as NZ's are they? Gives me some solace.

Ours is worse - your politicians still seem to have a hint of morals & ethics and your opposition has a backbone.

[peteshimmon]

aHem!

[lti]

Ours is worse - your politicians still seem to have a hint of morals & ethics and your opposition has a backbone.

I cant comment on that without violating the no politics rule

[captain swoop]

To stop shouting matches everyone addresses the speaker, they don't talk directly to each other. The speaker keeps order, he can have someone ejected or suspended. The 2 banks of seats are 2 sword lengths apart. the 'table' in the middle has the Mace on it which represents the Queen while the house is sitting, it also has the 'Dispatch Box' one each side for the govt and the opposition. These are where the Ministers and Opposition Shadow Ministers speak.

In the Lords the Lord Chancellor sits as the nearest thing to a Speaker. his seat is a 'Woolsack' a posh cushion stuffed wuith Fleece. It relates back to when the wool trade was the foundation of Englands wealth.

[captain swoop]

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/

check this site out for info on all things parliamentary

[BigDon]

Thanks, Captain!

[PhantomWolf]

So canadian and australian parliaments are just as pathetics as NZ's are they? Gives me some solace.

heh, all it does is make me more skeptical as to why we have them.

Ours is worse - your politicians still seem to have a hint of morals & ethics and your opposition has a backbone.

You haven't seen much about NZ politics lately have you?

I cant comment on that without violating the no politics rule

I think this is a wise course of action.