Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Like getting thrown out of class

It might be trivial, but it's interesting.

This is all it takes to get kicked out of Britain’s Parliament

British Prime Minister David Cameron is dealing with fallout over revelations that he profited from an offshore investment fund set up by his late father.

Cameron’s connection to the fund was exposed by the leak of millions of financial documents at a law firm that specialized in helping create offshore companies…

On Tuesday, Cameron made a statement about the revelations. As is tradition in the British Parliament, members of the House were allowed to react with questions and comments.

Skinner

Labor member of Parliament Dennis Skinner, who represents the Bolsover district in central England, was one of the prime minister’s most vocal critics that day.

While jabbing a finger in the air, Skinner called Cameron “dodgy Dave,” which elicited jeers and laughter in the chamber.

Commons Speaker John Bercow asked Skinner to withdraw his comment, but Skinner doubled down and repeated the phrase. House rules stipulate that members of Parliament shouldn't call their peers liars…

Speaker Bercow then invoked the power of Standing Order Number 43, sending Skinner on his way. According to the U.K. Parliament, Standing Order 43 refers to disorderly conduct and states that “The Speaker, or the chairman, shall order any member or members whose conduct is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the House during the remainder of that day's sitting.”

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