What Actually Happens in the House of Commons?

When watching Brexit unfold it's hard not to draw the conclusion that the House of Commons is a little out of control. As much as the Speaker might try to reign them in, MPs continue to shout, argue and jeer. We explain why the House of Commons is like this and also some history behind the unusual parliamentary behavior.

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[joaquinandreu]

I think I'll wait until this Brexit season ends and then I'll watch it again from the beginning. I'm getting lost in the plot and the cliffhangers are killing me.

[RurouniFlojo]

As a foreigner with no background knowledge of the houses inner workings, I greatly appreciate that you started at a basic level

[ulodetero]

Presumably, clapping is banned so as to minimise noise and disruption.

Well, that worked well, didn't it...?

[zerid]

I think the MP's make lots of noise just because they want Berclaw to shout
They just love it as much as we do :D

[xNathanx]

I love this channel
I mean
If brexit is good for anything, it is this channel.

[MoraFermi]

John Bercow would be a stellar MMA referee if he ever decided to change careers.

[Poofi]

Oh god, I just realized now that non-native English speakers could totally mistake that for eyes and nose. Hahahahahha!

[Norrikan]

_"It can all seem a bit weird."_ – I'd wager that's because it *is* a bit weird. In fact, I'd go so far as say that it is *very* weird. Other possible descriptors would include "insane", "baffling" and "absurd".

[Pileot]

I could listen to this guy shout DIVISION all day, it fills me with so much joy I don't know why.

[TheJtorres]

House of commons is like Kabuki theatre, i find it so odd.

Bercow even wears silly ties, yells orda like a cartoon and cracks jokes all the time.

[MrWeAllAreOne]

Now i finally understand where Pink Floyd got the name for one of my favourite albums "The Division bell"
Thank you.

[thomassherwood]

I remember that I got the opportunity to talk to an MP once about their job and I asked how they would give an abstain vote (neither yay nor no) and he said there were 2 options.

The first was to not enter either lobby and you will be counted as absent (and therefore abstaining) but this could come across as bad to the constituents of they look at their voting records. The second (one that apparently the speaker doesn't like) is to enter both lobbies and get counted twice. This is also known as a positive abstention and so their presence is noted and they don't end up siding with either one.

I thought this was interesting as its important but not talked about enough.

[yrobtsvt]

This video didn't answer the question! HoC is a lot more unruly now than it was 10 years ago... that being said, I was glad to learn what "division" means

[ChristianIce]

Where do the unelected lords leave the swords?

[pellejutterstrom]

still does not explain why they behave like children?
constantly disturbing and making noise instead of listening like in most other governments in the world

[indigo-lily]

Wait, infamous? I thought people loved him.

[SteveGouldinSpain]

The big question for me is how does the speaker remember the names (and constituencies and titles) of all 650 mps. He must have a memory like an elephant!

[ujai]

Clapping is banned, so people shout? And nobody in Britain thinks that is weird and makes them look bad?

[jameslewis]

Does anyone else think that after all that shouting of 'Division - Clear the lobby!" the speaker must have a sore throat? I feel like we should send him some strepsils or something.

[Attlanttizz]

Do you think Berkow is having fun in his role?