Bobbing up and down
I’M TAKING a break from writing a speech in order to write this blogpost instead.
Today at some point I’m hoping to be called by Mr Speaker (or one of his deputies) to contribute to the continuing debate on the Queen’s Speech. Today’s subject is home affairs and the constitution.
As I say, I hope to be called, but there’s no guarantee. I could sit there for hours and still be sitting there by the time the government and opposition front benches rise to begin the wind-ups (winding up the debate, that is, not each other, although that also happens). After the opening speeches by the government and the Shadow Secretary of State, the Speaker will call back benchers alternately from the government and opposition benches. When each speech finishes, anyone hoping to be called must stand briefly in order to let the Speaker know you wish to be called.
Of course, this bobbing up and down (as it’s technically known in Erskine May) is not the only way of indicating your desire to speak. You are also expected to drop a note into the Speaker’s office a few days in advance saying so. This I did nearly two weeks ago.
When I was first elected (nine years ago today, as it happens) I and other young guns of our intake were most unhappy at the practice in force at the time that meant more senior members were invariably called in such debates before us. Privy councillors (Rt. Hons) took precedence, followed by anyone who had been a Member for five minutes longer than us. This we considered entirely unfar at the time, though these days we can see its advantages…
There will also, I expect, be a time limit on each back bench speech, usually set at ten or 15 minutes, depending on the number of people who have applied to speak. This isn’t always the case; speeches on Second Readings of Bills, for example, frequently don’t have time limits unless they are particularly controversial in nature. When a time limit is in force, a Member can accept two interventions from other Members, with each intervention adding one minute on to the time available to speak. Third and subsequent interventions eat into the speaker’s own time.
And you have to be there from the very start of the debate if you hope to be called. You can leave the chamber after you’ve spoken, but not until you’ve listened to the speech immediately after yours. And it is considered the height of disrespect to the House if, having taken part in the debate, you’re not present for the wind-ups, a faux pas committed by at least a few new back benchers after every election.
Another thing to consider is whether or not the government will be making a statement at 3.30, after Education Questions. If so then that will delay the start of the debate by an hour; good news if my train’s late (it’s not – so far), but it will also result in fewer back benchers being called before the debate ends at ten, as well as a likely tighter time limit on speeches.
Add to the mix the fact that my 18-year-old son is popping into the Commons to see me before he catches his train northwards and it all adds up to a fairly busy start to the week.
So I’ll sign off now and get back to the speech. If Carolyn remembers to record my speech (if I’m called) off the Parliament channel, I’ll probably upload it to YouTube in a couple of days. So there’s something to look forward to, eh?
