"Order! Order! The chair will be informed if hon. Members refrain from chuntering."
This quote, attributed to former British Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, is a command for order in the chaotic atmosphere of parliamentary debates. "Chuntering" here refers to the continuous, low-level murmuring or chit-chat among members during formal discussions. The phrase "The chair will be informed" signifies that the speaker of the house is aware of this disturbance and expects it to cease promptly. In essence, Bercow is requesting a return to orderliness and proper decorum during parliamentary proceedings.
"I don't think there is a single member of this House who does not feel a profound sense of duty to ensure that the business of the House is conducted in a way that maintains and enhances its reputation for robustness, for independence and for fair-mindedness."
This quote by John Bercow emphasizes the importance of upholding the integrity, independence, and impartiality of the House (likely referring to the British House of Commons). He suggests that every member has a moral obligation to ensure the parliamentary proceedings are conducted in a way that strengthens its reputation for being strong, autonomous, and unbiased. This is crucial because a robust, independent, and fair-minded parliament enhances public trust and promotes good governance.
"Let us be clear: the British people did not vote to give up control of their laws in any event."
This quote by John Bercow suggests that the British people, through a vote, did not intentionally choose to relinquish control over their own laws. The statement implies a perspective where sovereignty over domestic lawmaking is considered a fundamental aspect of national identity, and a decision to forfeit this power was not made in any referendum or democratic process that took place. This perspective is often expressed in discussions related to Brexit, the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union.
"To be sure, it is often said that this House has no powers of restraint over the executive. I would contend that the power of the purse is not inconsiderable."
This quote suggests that while parliament may not have direct control or restraints on the executive (government), it has significant influence through its power to allocate funds, known as the "power of the purse." This power allows parliament to indirectly control government spending and thus indirectly control the actions and policies of the executive.
"The House will be mindful that we are a Parliamentary democracy; not a Presidential one."
This quote emphasizes that the United Kingdom is a parliamentary democracy, as opposed to a presidential one. In a parliamentary system, the head of state and government are separate individuals (a constitutional monarchy or a president with limited powers), and the government is responsible to the elected Parliament. The speaker is suggesting that decisions are made collectively by both the executive and legislative branches, working together, rather than relying on a single, powerful leader who makes decisions independently. This type of system encourages collaboration, debate, and accountability in governance.
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