Dennis Skinner's best quote in HoP, "Half of the Tories opposite are crooks" The speaker: "Please retract. Dennis: "OK, half the Tories opposite aren't crooks

"Dodgy" isn't a bad word in the UK. But it's too close to accusing someone of being a liar, and so not allowed in Parliament.

Yes you cannot call an MP a liar. A former MP, Winston Churchill said that"The right honourable member is guilty of a gross inexactitude".

One important rule of decency in parliament is never to call anyone a liar. There are tactful ways to make the same point.

By calling him "dodgy" he is accusing him of lying, which is against parliamentary rules.

The MP asked to leave was Dennis Skinner who at the time I think was the longest serving MP , he was the MP for a town called Bolsover in Derbyshire were they speak their minds regardless who they are talking to . He always spoke up for the working person and never gave up until he won , he was known throughout parliament and the UK as the Beast of Bolsover

A speaker is basically a chat mod. You'll also notice the mentality can sometimes be that of a chat room 🤣

If you can, look on the floor for two lines. These are a swords width apart. You should always stay behind the line - keeping the opposition parties “safe” from each other. This is where the phrase “crossing the line” or “overstepping the mark” comes from.

"The House of Commons is like Congress with a 2 drink minimum" Robin Williams 😅😅😅

The golden object picked up is the “mace” which represents the Queen’s authority in the House and its ability to function and and make laws. It is brought into the House of Commons at the beginning of every sitting day and is removed when the House rises at the end of each day. Again a reflection of the monarch’s authority, running throughout British life however constrained.

The two red lines in front of the benches don't mark out the central aisle, they are exactly two sword lengths apart and represent the closest members of the opposite sides can approach each other. This dates back to the time when a gentleman wore a sword and was supposed to stop arguing MPs from killing each other.

Dennis Skinner was certainly outspoken and always spoke as he saw things. To call the then Prime Minister "Dodgy Dave " is a real insult but humourous as well. He was getting close towards the end of his long career as an MP at that point and he retired in 2019. I believe he's still alive and now in his 90's. The Beast of Bolsover is no longer in Parliament and the oratory lights have dimmed without him 😭

"Half of the members opposites are crooks" - "You must withdraw that remark" - "I apologise - half the members opposite are not crooks", ^oo^

When their being rude to one another in the house of commons, it actually helps sway the voting public to their side. Its the British sarcastic humour that we tend to do, all to well. It works as well. They also give us, as good as they get

This is standard behaviour on a weekly basis in the House of Commons.

People get kicked out all the time. The problem with the word “dodgy” is that it implies he is lying. MPs can say all sorts of things but they can’t accuse each other of lying

In UK Parliament you are not allowed to swear, call someone a liar, technically you are supposed to speak in a civil way.

In USA you have speeches not debate, a skilled debater in parliament encourages questions from both sides and uses them. Often to expose the fallacies in that argument. Facts and figures also have to be accurate.

Best example of 'un-Parliamentrary Language was from the grey haired bloke who called the PM 'Dodgy Dave' 'Half the Tory Party (conservatives) are crooks' Speaker: The honourable member will rephrase that comment "OK, Half the Tory Party are not crooks'.

The gold thing is called the Mace and represents both royal authority in the Chamber and without it neither House can meet or pass laws.

In the house you must show some amount of respect for the other MP's and especially the Speaker. Calling someone "dodgy" is like saying that he has used underhanded, or "dodgy" tactics. "Dave" in this instance referes to former Prime Minister David Cameron. In the house one must refer to each other as "the Honourable Gentleman/Lady." No one is fefered to by their names in the house. Not even the Speaker of Prime Minister are refered to by their first names. It is always "the Honorurable Prime Minister" or simply "the Prime Minister;" while the Speaker is refered to as simply "Mr Speaker." And so the Speaker did the only thing reasonable, he gave him a chance, TWO chances, and then sent him out of the house. Since the Speaker is in charge of both chairing debates and ensuring that any and all rules and portocol are followed within the house he was well in his right to remove him. Also the mace that the sent out MP grabs is like the Queens symbol of authority within the House of Commons. It is the reminder that, legally at least, Parliament meets upon the Queens authority. Legally speaking the House of Commons can't meet without that mace in place. Basically him picked it up to try and stop the HoC from meeting. Truying to shut it down.

The "staff" he tried to remove is called the "mace" which represents the monarch's presence in the house, without which the house cannot sit in session at all

This is what I love about British politics. Everyone, from the Prime Minister on down, sits together on benches, and the opposition gets to call out the government leaders to their faces and demand an immediate answer. You will never see that kind of accountability in the US Congress. There, politicians give endless "Green Eggs and Ham" filibuster speeches or run from terrorists trying to take them hostage while His Excellency the President hangs out alone in the presidential mansion. It's often said that "If you're not talking, you're fighting. We don't talk to each other in the US, so we kill each other instead.

The most insane thing about the speaker is that they memorise the names, titles and contituencies of 650 MPs.

The one thing that is classed as “ over the line “ is flat out calling a member of parliament a liar “… mp’s have been ejected from there many times before 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Others have already explained The Mace but did you notice the two red lines on the floor in front of government side of the house and the opposition side? These lines are two sword lengths apart, thus making it impossible for an MP on one side to kill one on the other!

There are rules that have to be obeyed. Rule 1. No MP can call another MP or the PM a liar in the House of Commons. Rule 2. The authority of the Speaker is not to be challenged nor ignored. Rule 3. No sleeping in the House of Commons benches. Rule 4. No MP or PM can use lies to mislead the House of Commons. As that break the truth and trust they have when they speak in public.

The Speaker of the House of Commons is arguably the third most powerful position in the country (fourth, if you count the Monarch who takes a passive role in the affairs of State), since, as you rightly observed, he controls the debates. He decides which bills are going to be debated, which MPs are going to be heard and for how long. This is why he has to command a high level of moral authority and should be seen to be impartial ( not always the case, I'll grant). Jeffrey Archer's novel "First Among Equals" paints a compelling picture of the relationship between the Government, the Opposition and the Speaker.

The second clip, the gent was trying to remove the sceptre of state - if that is removed from the chamber, parliament cannot legally sit.

They are not in each others faces, they are seperated by 2 arms and 2 swords length.

Dodgy Dave was running the country at the time 😂

MP's can argue but fairly. Lots of words can not be used in parliament. MP's can be removed or suspended for a period of time. If their behaviour is really bad they are removed as an MP's. Dodgy Dave was referring to ex prime minister David Cameron. The guy calling him that Dennis Skinner was known for breaking rules.

The reason why the speaker requests that they “withdraw” their remark is that there is a verbatim record of debate in the House of Commons called “Hansard”. If the word is withdrawn, it is officially struck off of Hansard so that it is not in the verbatim record of debate. To call another “right honourable member of the house” a Liar, or to infer it, by calling them “Dodgy” is unparliamentary, and is basically not the done thing in the Houses of Parliament. As I understand it, it is officially an offence to deliberately mislead parliament, and an offender can be held in Contempt of Parliament. A fine is payable (last levied in 1666) and they should “voluntarily” resign from their position. So, In effect, for one member of parliament to call another “Right Honourable Member of Parliament” a liar or being deliberately dishonest (as a subjective opinion, without basis of fact or legal verdict) within debate while the house is in session, is to call them a criminal in the house without any due investigation.

The guy who was called "dodgy Dave" was David Cameron - prime minister 2010-2017. The female prime minister was Theresa May - prime minister 2017-2019. The current prime minister since 2019 is Boris Johnson, but he has agreed to resign and will be replaced later this year.

It is interesting to watch what goes on behind those walls but it can be extremely frustrating too, especially when we are paying them a shed load of money for what often appears to be to sit and prat about for hours on end!

12:23 The House of Commons is not allowed to have any debates if that staff is not in its place at the despatch box. The man took the staff to stop the debate MPs were having which is why everyone was up in arms lmao.

Betty Boothroyd was the best speaker of the house.

I think I am right in saying If the MP backs down and agrees to retract any word it is removed from records, however if he refuses it stays on record. The Staff/Club was the Mace of Office in which Parliment is conducted, basically it represents the Monarchs Presence

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the US President had to attend the House the Representatives and take questions ? The British (or Canadian, Australian, or New Zealand PM) is just another MP with his seat in the House of Commons. PMQ's (Prime Minister's Questions) is the question period where things often get raucous.

Most of the time it’s quite empty as most MPs are out working in Committees on various projects. But they do come together for big government statements and every Wednesday for PMs Question Time, where they can ask anything (questions submitted prior) and a subsequent related question (NOT submitted prior). Our PM is ‘held to account’ every week.

There are time limits on speeches depending on how many members want to speak. Also in the the UK and ni parliament there is no filibustering.

When the House of Commons (common people) was rebuilt after the war, there were ideas to redesign the chamber with members sitting in a semicircle, as most other political chambers. But the idea was rejected. People thought it better to keep the opposing parties facing each other. It’s all a gradual development of parliamentary democracy starting with the first in 1265.

2:44 You know, i'd actually like to see you react to Canadian MP's behaving badly during "House Q&A" too. But then, being honest, I wanna see you react to American debate floors haha. It's a real eye opener to see this stuff for the first time. I know you mentioned that American political underworkings like this are typically boring, but being honest it gets just as passionate and heated and crazy

There will never be another speaker quite like Burcow. Absolute legend.

Just a constructive bit of advice , I’m here to hear your views but please don’t feel that there is a clock checking that you have interrupted the vid every 15 seconds. Let’s hear a bit more of the video then give your views in general rather than your view on every sentence uttered. Please .

Like a number of Americans doing this type of commenting you are butting in before seeing what happens in total of the segment. Most times your question would be answered.

It's hilarious he's never heard of David Cameron. Being UK pm for years doesn't even get you heard of in America.

I loved this Speaker he was very direct and to the point and also had a good sense of humour. I for one, miss him.

Yeah we know how productive is the American government without jokes and name calling 🤣🤣

John Bercow, the Speaker in the first few clips, was certainly a colourful character. He was recently investigated for bullying staff during his 10 year tenure of the role and found guilty of 21 of 35 counts. Lindsay Hoyle, who was the Deputy Speaker in the Scottish debate, has now taken over from Bercow. Dawn Primarolo, who was seen at the end, was Deputy Speaker from 2010-2015.

This is normal in every British parliament and ex colonies British parliament lol, it's certainly not boring like US senate xD

He's asking them to withdraw it, because they are making an allegation.. so if there's no evidence for the allegation, then it must be withdrawn, otherwise it's classed as a false allegation.

It was in that room that the decision to cross the water and settle in your country... America will have been discussed in that very room before it was called America

"I don't know if MPs are known for behaving badly". So funny

There is a reason Harry Potter is full of what in the US is called "sass". Being "sassy" is a national characteristic. Accusations of "econony with the truth" are allowed; the word "liar" is never allowed.

Dennis Skinner, the chap in the red tie who got chucked out, was calling the then prime minister, David Cameron, “dodgy” as he was insinuating that he was involved in some suspect financial practices. Even though MPs and members of the House of Lords have Parliamentary privilege, which means whatever they say is not subject to any civil legal cases (libel, etc.), Mr. Skinner was ejected from the House for slating another member’s character and integrity, which sometimes is grounds for eviction depending on the context. Another recent occasion, Lisa Nandy, a Labour front bencher, suggested that the Conservative MP for the Isle of White stayed loyal to the current PM (for now), Boris Johnson, for extra money for his constituency. Generally, people can shout whenever someone is speaking - within reason. It’s very much up to the Speaker. The rowdiest occasion is prime minister’s question time on Wednesdays. It’s a very combative debating style, traditionally nurtured from an earlier age by Cambridge and Oxford university debating societies. They are set out face to face in the same way as the Commons. The distance between each person speaking is the same as two swords. Calling someone a liar is absolutely not allowed. To get around this, MPs often say an individual “unintentionally misled the House” or something along those lines. The member who removed the mace, in protest of the Government’s handling of Brexit debates if I remember rightly, was in the wrong because it represents the Queen’s authority. Therefore, if it is removed, any business carried out in the house is null and void. If you’re interested in watching more, the general rule is the standard of debates and speeches worsens the closer to the present you are. The Commons was first broadcasted on TV in the 80s.

The funniest thing is watching you Tyler as you feel exactly as I did when seeing the parlement discussions for the first time. I was absolutely shocked, all these men jelling their insults to one another🤣🤣🤣

fun fact :) the table in the middle, dividing the two sides .. its THREE sword lengths wide :) this is a very old attempt to reduce "bad behaviour" lol .. try to imagine, if you can, what this chamber was like during the english civil war .. and ofc everyone in parliament was wearing a sword :)

Also, when the man took the Sceptre from the holder, it means Parliament isn't allowed to debate.

"Dodgy Dave" is former Prime Minister David Cameron, who was responsible for the Brexit referendum (he wanted to stay in the EU but lost and resigned). The MP calling him Dodgy Dave was Dennis Skinner, MP for Bolsover. He was known as "The Beast of Bolsover". 😂

My GOD! …can THIS KZfaqr TALK! 🤯 Every few seconds he enters into what seems like a 10 min oration!!!

Too many interruptions very annoying

'Dodgy' = dishonest. UK MPs are not allowed to call each other liars etc. So calling a fellow MP dodgy is seen as a clear red line.

“This dude” was literally the prime minister 😂

Dodgy seems a pretty reasonable description of David Cameron. I'm not surprised Dennis Skinner was thrown out. He's always been a bit of a firebrand. John Bercow is indeed a bit of a character.

The item taken is a symbol of the crown in parliament - removing it effectively closes parliament because you cannot hold it without the royal sceptre in place (the monarch has been forbidden from sitting in the commons since the civil war, essentially out of fear that they may become tyrannical and arrest MPs if they hear criticism, and ever since the restoration the sceptre has represented them).

This is Prime Minister's question time which is held once a week and is really a pantomime, all the questions. Are prearranged. On other days there is hardly anyone in the house as often happens after PMQs when a majority of members leave.

You do more talking than reacting! You don’t have to describe everything we can see.

I’ve never known a video to be paused with so much speaking in between in all my life I’m gonna turn it off now

Interesting that 'shifty' and 'untrustworthy' are not considered insults worth caring about in the US.

Dennis "The Beast of Bolsover" Skinner was a legend in the House. There is a quotation, which may or may not be erroneously attributed to him, where he said, "half the Tory members opposite are crooks." The speaker demanded that he withdraw his remark. The Beast responded with, "OK, half the Tories opposite aren't crooks." 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Yes these are highlights. Baring in mind issues and bills are debated 5 days a week , 44 weeks a yes 8/9am till 6/7pm then some are boring with few debating others can command a full parliament. Prime minister's question time on Tuesday lunchtime is when the current PM answers questions for roughly an hour. It can get feisty

Keep these coming, please. As an Englishman, I'm very interested in how you see , or don't see, things happening in the UK. I wonder what your day job is ?

Americans don’t get British sarcasm and humour there is nothing like a good verbal fight in the commons we look forward to it

The best thing about the commons system is that the PM has to face every other elected member once a week in a debate. Imagine if the US president had to face debate in the senate or house of representatives every single week

Bercow was an entertaining speaker, his predecessor was sacked by Parliament, the first in a few hundred years; but Bercow also upset to many people and so he had to go, he became too partisan.

A few things: -The speaker in the vast majority of these clips is John Bercow. - The man being labelled as ‘dodgy Dave’ was David Cameron, the Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016 - The man who was ejected for calling him that was Dennis Skinner - The man who seems to appear in almost every clip is Ian Blackford, the parliamentary leader of the SNP, which believes in Scottish independence. - The other Prime Minister was Boris Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May (2016-2019). Johnson will not leave office until 6th September 2022. - The man who debated intensely with members of the SNP in the penultimate clip was Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the then Deputy Speaker. These days he is the speaker.

One comment I saw on a video about UK vs US politics just fits so well. "UK politicians act like stereotypical Americans while US politicians act like stereotypical Brits.

The apparent informality of UK politics is important. When we start treating the system as sacred and expecting each other to act like robots, we stop seeing each other as human beings and treating one another with respect. Here in the UK, our rocky relationship with class and wealth give us a particular distain for holier-than-thou, uppity attitudes, and so it would seem antithetical if our democratic system didn't reflect the ideals of an equal and flat hierarchy with open discussion.

10:09 the beast of Bolsover Mr Dennis Skinner MP was a legend in parliament its not the first time he was kicked out and went head to head with many PMs in his time

Remember that it is called Parliament . The right to parly french for speak . That is why there are two red lines each side of the house , which is exactly two swords apart , so members can only speak and not fight . Notice the position of THE MACE . On the bench the house is sitting , below the bench the House is in conference You remain very cute x

Dennis Skinner has the utmost respect from BOTH sides! He is a total lege! (LEGEND) and he was for the people of the UK no matter who they were, rich or poor. Lovely man.

You’re one of the best Americans I’ve ever seen tbh very very good representative for the country

You have to understand that the House of Commons is the Mother of Parliaments and the layout is deliberately confrontational (the gap is two sword lengths apart for very good reasons). It is perfectly acceptable to be argumentative and get emotional during debates The language has to be 'in order' and that is decided by the Speaker. Of course the Speaker in the UK is entirely non partisan unlike in the House of Representatives. What cannot be inferred is any dishonesty or misleading the House. The inference of 'Dodgy' is that Cameron (the Prime Minister) was dishonest. Blackford called Theresa May a 'liar' which is totally unacceptable. 'Withdrawing' a word means the formal record (Hansard) will not contain it. On PMs: Johnson is still Prime Minister but resigned as Leader of his party. When a new leader is elected he will go to the Queen and resign as Prime Minister. Minutes later the new leader of their party will be invited to form a Government by the Queen. Theresa May was Prime Minister from 2016 and resigned in 2019. She was preceded by David Cameron who was PM from 2010 to to 2016.

6:18 yes it’s normal. If it is withdrawn then it’s considered to have not been said, and I think it won’t appear on Hansard (the parliamentary record) but don’t quote me on that.

Tyler, this Speaker, John Bercow, actually lives one street away from me. 'Infamous' is one word to describe him, but having known him for thirty years, he's partisan and annoying. I'm glad he's no longer the Speaker.

The 'thing' the Politian took is a mace. In Parliament it's the symbol of royal authority and without it neither the House can meet or pass laws. Its about 450 years old. The symbolism essentially is that the monarch allows parliament to meet/to govern. After all the monarch is the head of state and dates back to when there was an absolute monarchy. But symbolic is the word or a kind of respect. But from the [English] civil war onwards, the monarchy become more and more limited/restricted, with more power to an elected parliament i.e. democracy, eventually. This is what we are today. A constitutional monarchy (constitutional is political means restricted or has limits. So a limited monarch, with an elected parliament or government).

Dennis walked out with his head held high as he believes what he says is true and most of the electorate hated dodgy dave.

As a British person, I can say that watching mps live is like an adult comedy show. I don't think anyone in Britain can possibly take them seriously 😂😂 Also, no, this kind of behaviour isn't actually allowed in the Houses of Parliament, but since no one can really take them seriously, it's usually overlooked as rich people arguing among themselves and letting their characters drop

Lindsay Hoyle, now the most bloody feckless speaker of all time.

John Bercow is a bit of a legend. The reason MPs have to retract certain words is because there is an official record, which is called Hansard. The rules are known as Erskine May. The speaker is the chair of the meeting and everything is addressed to the speaker, rather than the other members directly, so it's the speaker, the house, its rules and conventions which must be respected. It might be too much to ask the members to respect each other? So in a way, it's the speaker's job to defend democracy. Normally there are about 10 MPs looking bored, these are exceptional moments. The rules and conventions are a rabbit hole of history, for example members may not speak from between those red lines in front of the benches, which are supposedly two sword-lengths (and one inch) apart. This is presumably to prevent physical violence breaking out.

You can call other MPs quite a lot but you can never accuse him or her of lying. MPs are obliged to tell the truth … oh, John Bercow. I thought we’d seen the last of him. He’s a little sassy, well something like that. Someone was thrown out of the Commons a couple of weeks go. John Bercow hasn’t got a little ego. He’s got a whopping great ego. NB no work happens here. That’s done elsewhere.

I’m British, these vids r y I luv our politics 😂

I don't see any brown envelopes, cocaine or hookers, where is the "bad" behaviour...

The Speaker in most of the clips (and who reacted to Dennis Skinner and Ian Blackford - leader of Scottish Nationalist Party in Commons) was John Bercow. More recently, he's been under investigations over allegations of bullying in Parliament and has been thought of by some as one of the most biased Speakers of recent times, though of course some reject those claims.

Only the Brits have an entertaining parliament, my Columbian lodger happened to see it and thought it was some kind of comedy show......at least it used to be one of the most serious parliament in the world. If they insult with elegance they can get away with it, but vulgarity no.

The MP who referred to David Cameron as Dodgy Dave was Dennis Skinner who probably holds the record for being thrown out of the house. He once is supposed to have said "Half the Tories (Conservatives) sitting opposite are crooks." When asked by the speaker to withdraw that remark he replied "OK, half the Tories sitting opposite aren't crooks." Although I haven't been able to find footage of that exchange so I don't know if it's something he actually said or urban legend. In British slang "Dodgy" implies that someone is corrupt or a liar. You can't call another MP a liar in the house. Even if they are lying through their teeth as Boris Johnson has frequently done during his time as PM.

Great Speech Lindsay Hoyle, he’s a much better speaker than John Bercow. He would have made the debate worst.

Some of the burns are banter - "I don't need help from a junior minister" was just defusing the situation, while "dodgy (=dishonest) Dave" was genuinely trying to be offensive.

During the sessions, everything that is said is written down & archived. If he doesn't withdraw the word, it must be recorded. If they withdraw it, it can be removed. BTW calling someone dodgy or a liar without evidence is like there insulting their character. Which they take offence to.