Few institutions are as treasured in the Palace of Westminster as the parliamentary choir – though perhaps the terrace canteen’s jerk chicken recipe runs it close. The choir is arguably the best embodiment of the cross-party spirit, in which Tory MPs, Labour peers and House staff members can all sing alongside one another. Or as the choir’s music director Simon Over once quipped: ‘There are just four parties in this choir – Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Basses and that’s it.’ The choir is best known for its hugely popular Christmas services of festive choral works, seasonal readings and audience carols held every December.
But now the future of the choir has been threatened by the scales of justice stacked against it. For while professional performers are not limited numerically – meaning a choir of hundreds could sing – for amateur singers like those in Westminster the cap remains at six.
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