Via Tom Harris, I see that the new Speaker is contemplating “modernising” the House of Commons by dropping the convention that MPs refer to one another as the “Honourable Member” and “Right Honourable” and so on. If John Bercow thinks this will do anything to help the public understand the supposedly arcane and baffling Westminster world then he’s utterly mistaken. More importantly, it suggests that, in this instance at least, his understanding of the problems afflicting Westminster is sadly shallow and even juvenile.
The Scottish Parliament – working on the assumption that any Westminster convention was foegeyish and “out of touch” – decided that there was no need for such antiquated formalities and, consequently, members would address one another by name. I can advise Speaker Bercow that this has done nothing to increase either the public’s appreciation or understanding of the parliament’s business.
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