Volume 23, Number 2, November 2013
UK politics
Parliament: a guide to its traditions
Rowena Hammal
You can use this article to further your understanding.
The British Parliament is almost unique in terms of its long history. It evolved during the medieval
period, developing the traditions of the Anglo-Saxon Witan. Countries such as the USA, France and
Germany have had new parliaments created in the wake of wars or revolutions but Britain’s
representative body has grown organically, adapting itself gradually to the modern era. Part of the
legacy of this heritage is its array of traditions. At first glance, these can appear anachronistic and
irrelevant to contemporary politics but on closer examination they give a fascinating insight into the
history of Parliament.
Watch a video clip giving an overview of Parliament’s history:
http://parliamentrevealed.org/themes/the-uk-political-system/a-brief-history-of-the-uk-parliament
The Queen’s Speech
This is the state opening of Parliament and takes place once a year. The Queen arrives at the Palace
of Westminster and proceeds to the House of Lords, via the Robing Room. The House of Lords sends
an official, known as ‘Black Rod’, to the House of Commons. As he approaches the Commons
chamber its doors are slammed in his face to emphasise the independence of the Commons. This
tradition originated with the English Civil War. Black Rod then strikes the door of the chamber with his
rod, and the members of the Commons then follow him to the Lords. MPs are not allowed to enter the
chamber of the House of Lords, so they stand at the entrance to listen to the Queen’s Speech.
Although the Queen’s Speech is read by the Queen, she is not the author. The speech is written by
her government and sets out the government’s legislative aims for the coming session of Parliament.
After the Queen has finished reading the speech and left Parliament, the two Houses each debate the
content of the speech and the House of Commons will then vote on it.
Watch a video explaining the Queen’s Speech:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8701771.stm
Dragging the speaker
The Speaker of the House of Commons is an elected position, which brings a large salary,
considerable status and an apartment in the Palace of Westminster. Yet when a Speaker is chosen,
the candidate pretends to be horrified and has to be dragged to the Speaker’s Chair by other MPs.
This tradition originates from the medieval period when the Speaker had the difficult role of
representing Parliament to the monarch. If the monarch did not like what Parliament had to say, the
Speaker might pay the price — several Speakers were executed.
Watch a video clip about the history of the Speaker:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_p5t4rPQ44
Philip Allan Updates © 2013
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Prayers
Every session of the House of Commons and the House of Lords begins with Christian prayers. These
highlight the idea that each House is doing God’s work, as is the monarch who is, of course, also head
of the Church of England.
Read an article explaining the controversy over whether to keep daily prayers:
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2099971/Defiant-Speaker-vows-prayer-ban-Commons.html
The Oath of Allegiance
Once elected to the House of Commons, an MP must swear an Oath of Allegiance to the monarch,
holding a bible or other religious text such as the Qur’an. These religious books are stored in the
despatch boxes that ministers and shadow ministers stand in front of when addressing the chamber. If
an MP does not wish to swear a religious oath, then they must make a Solemn Affirmation of loyalty to
the monarch instead.
Read the wording of the Oath of Allegiance:
www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/swearingin/
The mace
The mace is a golden club that is ceremonially brought in to the House of Commons at the start of
every session, and removed at the end of the session. The House of Lords has two maces.
The mace represents the monarch’s authority over Parliament. MPs are not allowed to touch it and
any MP who picks it up will be ‘named’ by the Speaker (and suspended from the House for 5 days).
Watch a video clip of an MP using the mace to protest in 2009:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7830937.stm
Speaking in Parliament
In order to speak, an MP must first ‘catch the eye’ of the Speaker.
Watch a video explaining how MPs are chosen to speak:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/guides/newsid_81000/81937.stm
MPs never refer to each other in the second person during debates. Instead, they address the
Speaker and use conventions like ‘the honourable gentleman’ when speaking about other MPs.
Find out more:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/82149.stm
MPs also have to use ‘parliamentary language’ at all times and can be punished if they break the
rules.
Find out what MPs are not allowed to say:
http://www.parliament.uk/site-information/glossary/unparliamentary-language/
Philip Allan Updates © 2013
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Divisions
In the House of Commons votes are known as ‘divisions’ because MPs physically divide into two
division lobbies on either side of the chamber. Those in the Aye Lobby are voting ‘yes’ and those in
the No Lobby are voting ‘no’.
Find out more:
www.parliament.uk/about/podcasts/video-tours/bills-and-voting/
Watch a video clip explaining the division bell:
www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/how-mps-are-called-to-vote-in-parliament-by-the-divisionbell/14099.html
Whips
A team of MPs and Lords are appointed from each party to keep members informed of how their party
wishes them to vote and to apply pressure on members when required. They are called ‘whips’ — a
reference to fox-hunting, as the rider in a hunt known as the ‘whipper-in’ is responsible for keeping the
pack of dogs together. The term ‘whips’ has been used since the eighteenth century.
Watch a video clip explaining how the whip system works:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16853660
The woolsack
The wealth of medieval England depended greatly upon the country’s wool production. The
importance of wool is reflected by the woolsack — the seat used by the Lord Speaker in the House of
Lords.
Watch a video clip about the woolsack:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00fx79k
Questions
1. Does the pomp and pageantry of the Queen’s Speech serve a useful purpose?
2. Should religion be part of Parliament’s procedures in the twenty-first century?
3. Is it right that MPs should have to swear or affirm their loyalty to the monarch?
4. Should the procedures of Parliament be simplified and modernised, or should Parliament
retain its traditions?
Rowena Hammal teaches politics at The Portsmouth Grammar School,
and is online editor of POLITICS REVIEW
Philip Allan Updates © 2013
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