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Is it just me?

Harley Quinn

One of the Regulars
Messages
146
Location
Cheshire, England
Being a Brit, the suits in the Mother of Parliaments are usually little to write home about...

So, unless I'm in a schadenfreude mood (what my wife calls my 'Dorothy Parker Mode') and have a large pink gin to hand, I don't... the lack of wit and elegance leaves me slightly cold... you don't even get real characters in there any more... except Denis Skinner, and the man ties a ghastly four in hand...
 

dhermann1

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,154
Location
Da Bronx, NY, USA
For me it's the green leather seats. ;) But seriously, folks. I started watching question time just to see Tony B. in action. I stayed to watch a process I'd love to see here in the US. I do notice the clothes on the MP's. Those spread collars, the colors of the ties, etc. But it's the whole spectacle that amazes me.
They certainly don't have any Winston Churchills or Nye Bevins any more, but they still express themselves better, more cogently and less ramblingly and droningly, than our legislators.
 

Harley Quinn

One of the Regulars
Messages
146
Location
Cheshire, England
dhermann1 said:
For me it's the green leather seats. ;) But seriously, folks. I started watching question time just to see Tony B. in action. I stayed to watch a process I'd love to see here in the US. I do notice the clothes on the MP's. Those spread collars, the colors of the ties, etc. But it's the whole spectacle that amazes me.
They certainly don't have any Winston Churchills or Nye Bevins any more, but they still express themselves better, more cogently and less ramblingly and droningly, than our legislators.

Pitt the younger...

Listened to a speech while throwing up in the pirvy behind the speakers chair, then came out and gave a two hour unscripted, point for point, response with a hangover...

Exchange in D'Israeli's time

Gladstonei: “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.”
Disraeli: “That depends, Sir, whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

and if you cross the white line with a sword drawn they can still use lethal force to stop you... the white lines are such that two swordsmen at full extension can touch the tip of a standard rapier... although for the most part I'd have a shillingon the lad with the cavalry sabre every time. Lack the finesse of the rapier, but it more than makes up for it in the sheer bone crushing effectiveness of any hit from one...
 

dhermann1

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,154
Location
Da Bronx, NY, USA
Harley Quinn said:
Pitt the younger...

Listened to a speech while throwing up in the pirvy behind the speakers chair, then came out and gave a two hour unscripted, point for point, response with a hangover...

Exchange in D'Israeli's time

Gladstonei: “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.”
Disraeli: “That depends, Sir, whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

and if you cross the white line with a sword drawn they can still use lethal force to stop you... the white lines are such that two swordsmen at full extension can touch the tip of a standard rapier... although for the most part I'd have a shillingon the lad with the cavalry sabre every time. Lack the finesse of the rapier, but it more than makes up for it in the sheer bone crushing effectiveness of any hit from one...

Aside from "Blood, toil, tears and sweat", I'd love to have been a fly on the wall for "In the name of God, go!", either time it was uttered.
I've read bios of a lot of the other major MP's of WW II, Duff Cooper, MacMillan, Harold Nicolson, Eden, Leo Amery, etc. What an amazing bunch!
 

dhermann1

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,154
Location
Da Bronx, NY, USA
By pure chance I caught the opening of the Scottish parliament a couple of years ago. That was truly fascinating. They had to pack one of the streets in Edinborough with sand to enable the Queen's carriage horses to get up the hill.
 

Brian Sheridan

One Too Many
Messages
1,456
Location
Erie, PA
Those sessions are, for Americans, great fun to watch.

I imagine it is more fun from us because what they are doing doesn't much impact us. If it did, maybe we'd be sobbing, like when I see politicial news here at home. shakeshead
 

dhermann1

I'll Lock Up
Messages
9,154
Location
Da Bronx, NY, USA
One thing it highlights is how Parliament is basically the whole government of the UK. Both national and local issues are discussed. In the US the government is much more atomized and spread around among Federal, State, and local powers. In Britain the local councils have much less power. Correct me if I'm wrong, you Brits.
 

Lulu-in-Ny

A-List Customer
Messages
433
Location
Clifton Park, New York
Some comedian- can't remember which one at the moment- said that Parliament was like Congress with a two-drink minimum. I love to watch it just for the fact that it's so unlike watching Congress here. They seem to have a way better time...
 

lairddouglas

Familiar Face
Messages
53
Location
Wisconsin
CSPAN and Parliment

I watch to see if Nicholas Soames is in attendance. He always seems to be there to get a few moments of slumber. Rarely does his Churchillian Bulk move but when it does its rather amusing how biting it can be toward the PM or Cabinet Secretary addressing the House. He is always turned out in wonderful big bold stripe suits.
 

Cobden

Practically Family
Messages
788
Location
Oxford, UK
Nicholas Soames is my local MP - unfortunately, whilst a good parliamentarian, he's got a bit of a rep our way of not caring about local issues (we're a Tory safe seat). Hence he's been nicknamed "The Slug in the Suit"
 

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