Paul Seaward
@pseaward.bsky.social
History of Parliament, parliamentarism and politics in Britain and Europe from the middle ages to now; C17th English political thought and political history; Clarendon, Hobbes. A parliamentary miscellany at https://historyofparliamentblog.wordpress.com
Reposted by Paul Seaward
The House gave the speaker recess authority (‘when no question is pending’) in 1993.
As for adjournment authority (‘at any time’ during a district work period):
As for adjournment authority (‘at any time’ during a district work period):
October 19, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The House gave the speaker recess authority (‘when no question is pending’) in 1993.
As for adjournment authority (‘at any time’ during a district work period):
As for adjournment authority (‘at any time’ during a district work period):
Reposted by Paul Seaward
The indolence of ſome, the inattention of others, or the love of amuſement in many...
I love this sort of commentary you get in very old books of precedents.
I love this sort of commentary you get in very old books of precedents.
October 17, 2025 at 9:12 PM
October 15, 2025 at 11:23 AM
October 15, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Sort of, yes; though there are very many unmemorable moments, and the idea that the Lords is all that much better at scrutinising legislation is in my view a bit overblown.
October 13, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Sort of, yes; though there are very many unmemorable moments, and the idea that the Lords is all that much better at scrutinising legislation is in my view a bit overblown.
though I suppose there is the counter-example of Henry Brougham's 6 hour speech on law reform.
October 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
though I suppose there is the counter-example of Henry Brougham's 6 hour speech on law reform.
Yes indeed: I suppose my point is that the chamber just isn't the sort of place where one can ever expect policy to be discussed except in the most obvious and political and defensive ways, and never has been.
October 13, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Yes indeed: I suppose my point is that the chamber just isn't the sort of place where one can ever expect policy to be discussed except in the most obvious and political and defensive ways, and never has been.
and while it's probably true that there have been people in the past who were much better at giving speeches whether in the H of C or at conference, I suspect that's got much more to do with traditions of platform oratory now lost than with the operation of the chamber then and now.
October 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM
and while it's probably true that there have been people in the past who were much better at giving speeches whether in the H of C or at conference, I suspect that's got much more to do with traditions of platform oratory now lost than with the operation of the chamber then and now.
Well I agree entirely; I'm certainly not saying it's good - just that I can't really think of how a chamber discussion in a large assembly could operate in a much better fashion without unrealistic levels of seriousness and unpolitical-ness and lack of self-promotion from those elected to it
October 13, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Well I agree entirely; I'm certainly not saying it's good - just that I can't really think of how a chamber discussion in a large assembly could operate in a much better fashion without unrealistic levels of seriousness and unpolitical-ness and lack of self-promotion from those elected to it