UK House of Commons: Fun Debates?
Cheers, personal jabs, off-the-cuff responses, cries, boos, murmerings... the word "awesome" comes to mind when I watch videos of the UK House of Commons meetings. Although I know very little about the nuances of British politics, I do know that, judging from these videos, it strikes me as more real, gritty, transparent and plain fun.
Perhaps it is simply because the British put more stock in ebullient personality and affluent social discourse than Americans, but I think US politicians should start drinking whatever is in UK water.
A tangible benefit I have noticed is that the Prime Minister is brought in for intense, direct, pointed questioning, and responds in verbose and direct ways--an orientation of vulnerability and honesty that seems to be lacking in the US Presidency.
I would love to hear any speculations on the social differences between US and UK politics.
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Dec '10
Re: UK House of Commons: Fun Debates?
I love the British Parliamentary's Question Time. I would love if the parties picked spokesman and had it out on the issue of the day once or twice a week. I think our procedures are often closer to pageantry than I am comfortable with.
However, part of what makes these debates possible in a British system, is the weakness of their executive. The U.S. was set up so the Executive branch could counterbalance the legislature, not just act as an extension of it. If it could be anything more than public grandstanding, I would be all for it. I just don't see that happening.
Re: UK House of Commons: Fun Debates?
Do you remember when Congressman Joe Wilson shouted "You Lie!" during the President's health care speech in front of Congress back in '09? Immediately after the speech, John McCain came out on CNN to condemn Wilson, saying that Wilson's outburst was "totally disrespectful -- [there's] no place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately."
Compared to the earful that the Prime Minister gets when he goes before the House of Common, that little outburst from Rep. Wilson was nothing. And yet, it was all the talking heads spoke about for the next two news cycles. What a world of difference exists between our political culture and that from across the pond!
Re: UK House of Commons: Fun Debates?
Not only does Question Time speak volumes about the difference between our political cultures, so do the differing terminologies. In the US, bipartisanship is a virtue, so we use innocuous terms like "minority party," or "minority leader." The Brits refer to "the Party Opposite" and "the Leader of the Opposition." No bones about it, there are two or more sides, and they're going to acknowledge it. Another interesting one is the American use of the phrase "in power." This is seldom used stateside unless it is intended as a slam: "well, when Bush was in power..." It is used less sparingly in the UK. I think our small-r republicanism has created a civic culture that reacts to partisanship differently, although it hasn't always been that way. Just ask Charles Sumner and Preston Brooks.
Jan '11
Re: UK House of Commons: Fun Debates?
"Awesome" is the first word that pops into my head as well . . . I don't have any more insight to add, but I do find it interesting that in the U.S. there seems to be problems with even appearing to insult the President, while in an erstwhile monarchy it is apparently required.
May '10
Re: UK House of Commons: Fun Debates?
Ah, the Dispatcher's box.