Rules of the Parliament

The origins of Parliament go back to the 13th century, and there are many rules and customs that affect how it runs. Some of these are written down and are called 'Standing Orders'. Other rules are set out in resolutions of the House. However, much of how Parliament does its business is not determined by rules but has become established through continued use over the centuries - this is sometimes known as 'custom and practice'.

Standing Ordersregulate the way Members behave, Bills are processed and debates are organised. Some Standing Orders are temporary and only last until the end of a session or a parliament. There are around 150 standing orders relating to parliamentary business and public Bills, and about 250 relating to private business.

Custom and practice include procedures that are followed because that's the way things have been done in the past, so a precedent has been set. An example of a well known practice is of Bills being 'read' three times in both Houses, this is not in the Standing Orders.

Erskine May was the Clerk of the House of Commons between 1871 and 1886. He wrote a book called ‘Treatise on the Law, Privileges, Proceedings and Usage of Parliament’. It is considered the authoritative source on Parliamentary procedure. It provides details of observed 'rules' within the House, whether they relate to Standing Orders or customs and practice. It is not available on the internet but will be in a local library.

The Code of Conduct provides guidance to MPs on the standards of conduct expected during the course of their parliamentary duties.

In the House of Commons Members refer to each other by their constituency name or official title, not by their given name. The call each other "the honerable Member for ...". Some MPs are called the "right honerable Member for..." this may be written like this: Rt Hon. This means that at some point they have been a member of the Privy Council. Members of the Cabinet and Leaders of the main opposition parties are made members of the Privy Council and therefore become “Rt Hon”. The title stays with an individual for life.

'Naming of a Member' is the term used to describe the disciplining of an MP for breaking the rules of the House of Commons. The term comes from the fact that during a debate in the House of Commons, MPs refer to each other only by the name of their constituencies (избирательный округ) or by their official position, not their actual names. The only time names are used are when the Speaker calls MPs to speak or disciplines them. If an MP disregards the authority of the Chair or persistently obstructs the House in its duties then he or she can be 'named'. The Speaker says "I name the Honourable Member for ..... Mr/s.., for disregarding the authority of the Chair." A first offence brings suspension for five days. The second offence in the same parliamentary sitting carries 20 days' suspension and a third offence a period the House itself decides.

Traditions of the Parliament

A number of traditions are involved in the working of Parliament. Below are some examples.

1. When a new Speaker of the House of Commons is elected, the successful candidate is physically dragged to the Chair by other MPs. This custom has its roots in the Speaker's function to communicate the Commons' opinions to the monarch. Historically, if the monarch didn't agree with the message being communicated then the early death of the Speaker could follow. Therefore, as you can imagine, previous Speakers required some gentle persuasion to accept the post.

2. When MPs vote in the Commons they say 'aye' or 'no'. In the Lords, Members vote saying 'content' or 'not content'.

3. Each sitting in both Houses begins with prayers that follow the Christian faith.

4. To participate in a debate in the House of Commons or at question time, MPs have to be called by the Speaker. MPs usually rise or half-rise from their seats in a bid to get the Speaker's attention – this is known as 'catching the Speaker's eye'.

5. The Woolsack is the seat of the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords Chamber. The Woolsack is a large, wool-stuffed cushion or seat covered with red cloth. The Lord Speaker presides over debates in the House of Lords, but does not control them like the Speaker in the Commons, as Members of the Lords regulate their own discussions. If a Deputy Speaker presides in the absence of the Lord Speaker, then that individual uses the Woolsack. When the House of Lords is sitting, the Mace is placed on the rear of the Woolsack, behind the Lord Speaker.

6. The general public is allowed into those parts of the House not exclusively for the use of Members. Until 1845, the Commons by a Sessional Order maintained the exclusion of the public from every part of the House.