Lunch today was to be a healthy option snack (Hard boiled egg – forgot the twist of salt – oatcakes, Babybel cheese, Grapes and coffee.) In the event we had it at Son #3’s flat whilst watching the BBC News Channel. It happened to be the Commissioning of the Commons to appoint the Speaker (kind of like a referee) and see to the taking of the oath, required of all MPs by law. Son #3 is as irreverent as HBTW so the accompaniement to my meal was a background of snorts and derision.
OK – so the proceedings on this precursor to the official opening of Parliament by the Queen is a matter of history, law and precedent going back hundreds of years. However, it must have seemed incomprehensible to people from foreign climes. I had thought the Church of Scotland long-winded in their insistence upon procedure and custom, but this was the first time that I realised it is in our combined nations’ psyche. The Speaker, by tradition is supposed to be dragged to his seat; in this instance he was so keen to take up his Office that he appeared to drag the two designated MPs. As I understand it, the taking of the oath takes place over the next few days and technically an MP is not fully elected and paid until he or she takes the oath.
Fascinating stuff but hard times ahead.
Oh and by the way, the picnic was lovely thank you.