Well, I gave up... there were 12 people waiting to be called, a ten minute time limit on speeches and only 1 hour 10 minutes to go before wind-up speeches, which I make 7 speeches (and it's amazing how MPs manage to finish bang on 10 minutes). The trouble with such scenarios is that you can't get a proper debate going because no-one wants to intervene on another member as it will eat into the remaining time, so it ends up with just one speech after another, with all the other members in the Chamber just willing the speaker to shut up and sit down so that they can get their chance. And 10 minutes just isn't time to develop an argument of any complexity.
There will be other opportunities, possibly this Thursday when it's the last day before recess and we can talk about whatever we like. Usually used by members as an opportunity to talk about potholes in their constituency so that they make the front page of their local paper (if they live in the sort of place that puts potholes on the front page). I was going to talk about food. But maybe I will talk about blogging (or rather, blogging as a form of political engagement) and then weave a tortuous thread which takes me from seals and fishing and flatulent cows, through lone parents and welfare reform and Jeremy Kyle, and then back again.
There will be other opportunities, possibly this Thursday when it's the last day before recess and we can talk about whatever we like. Usually used by members as an opportunity to talk about potholes in their constituency so that they make the front page of their local paper (if they live in the sort of place that puts potholes on the front page). I was going to talk about food. But maybe I will talk about blogging (or rather, blogging as a form of political engagement) and then weave a tortuous thread which takes me from seals and fishing and flatulent cows, through lone parents and welfare reform and Jeremy Kyle, and then back again.
3 comments:
Sounds like Parliament is broken!
When you get a couple of hours free, watch 'Amazing Grace' to see Parliament at it's best (and worst). I'm a sucker for costume drama-type films, but this is great because the subject matter is 1st class.
http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/33658-amazing-grace-the-story-of-william-wilberforce
"(if they live in the sort of place that puts potholes on the front page)."
Hey Kerry, wasn't it 1967 when Blackburn mentioned the 4000 potholes, well, it may have been 1966, but it was 1967 when the whole world knew about it. Come on Kerry, I have seen your previous blogs, put me out of my misery and let me know what I am talking about. If you get the right answer, I will come to Bristol and take you for a meal.....OK, change that, if you get the right answer I will leave you alone...
You should know by now - I don't like the Beatles.
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