Question about the British House of Commons (on C-Span now)

[skipos]

Why do a bunch of the politicians stand up before a question is asked or after it is answered?

[rwenos]

1. They're Trying to Attract Attention

from the "President," i.e., the pro-tem sitting in the chair at the front end of the House.

Aside from the first question, all the others are recognized by the chair.

[Radio_Lady]

2. This is really "government" as "theater"... or "theatre" with the other spelling...!!!!!

For whatever reason, I like to watch these Wednesday sessions.

[Kutjara]

4. Have you seen the House of Lords on TV?

It's hilarious. Unless there's a major debate going on, there's only a handful of Lords in the place, and most of them are about 95 years old, stone deaf and fast asleep. It's like the day-room at a nursing home. Yet this chamber full of superannuated, privileged and out-of-touch wrinklies has done more than anyone else in the UK to hold back Tony Blair's presidential ambitions and his government's steady encroachment on civil liberties.

The UK is in the weird position that the "Commons" has become the enemy of the common man, while the "Lords" have become the voice of liberty and egalitarianism.

We're right through the looking-glass, Alice.

[evlbstrd]

3. Is it Prime Ministers' Questions?

That's fun to watch, and a great idea.