Category Archives: Parliament

A True Parliamentarist: The Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Dr Lockwood Smith

Posted on 2011/10/24 by J.W.J. Bowden

In “The Role of the Speaker”, The Speaker of the House of Representatives Lockwood Smith talked about the history of parliament as an institution and the core function, or main authority, of the House of Representatives: to hold the Crown … Continue reading →

Posted in Parliament, Parliamentary Privilege, Reaffirmation of, Traditions and History | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Parliamentary Oaths of Allegiance in the Westminster System

Posted on 2011/10/23 by J.W.J. Bowden

In Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the MP must take the oath of allegiance in order to take his or her seat in the House and gain the emoluments of the office. I will list the oaths and briefly enumerate … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Loyal Opposition, Oaths of Allegiance, Parliamentary Privilege | 15 Comments

The Myth of Civility and Decorum in the British House of Commons

Posted on 2011/10/05 by J.W.J. Bowden

I support the adoption of the British Question Time model as a replacement to the Question Period in the Parliament of Canada, as I will explain further tomorrow. However, the overhaul of Question Period is altogether separate from the pseudo-controversy … Continue reading →

Posted in Decorum, Parliament | 6 Comments

Decorum in the Australian House of Representatives

Posted on 2011/10/03 by J.W.J. Bowden

I enjoyed these clips of Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating versus his various Liberal opponents, John Howard, Alexander Downer, etc., and more recently the appearance of “Cardboard Kev”.  Those in Canada who criticize the behaviour of our MPs call for … Continue reading →

Posted in Decorum | 3 Comments

Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition

Posted on 2011/08/27 by J.W.J. Bowden

I contend that the Bloc Quebecois should never have taken on the role or title of “Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition” in the 35th Parliament simply because it became the second largest party with 54 seats, compared to the Reform Party’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Loyal Opposition | 28 Comments