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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cable anger over Queen reprimand | Cable anger over Queen reprimand |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable has attacked "ridiculous" Commons procedures after he was banned from asking a question about the Queen. | Lib Dem deputy leader Vince Cable has attacked "ridiculous" Commons procedures after he was banned from asking a question about the Queen. |
| Mr Cable mentioned the Monarch in a question on the economy to Harriet Harman, who was standing in for Gordon Brown at prime ministers questions. | Mr Cable mentioned the Monarch in a question on the economy to Harriet Harman, who was standing in for Gordon Brown at prime ministers questions. |
| But he was prevented from completing it by Speaker Michael Martin. | But he was prevented from completing it by Speaker Michael Martin. |
| Mr Cable said it was "ridiculous" MPs could not mention the Queen in passing "without prior permission". | |
| In the Commons, Mr Cable was cheered by MPs when he rose to ask the first of his permitted questions to Ms Harman. | In the Commons, Mr Cable was cheered by MPs when he rose to ask the first of his permitted questions to Ms Harman. |
| He said: "It was reported this week that Her Majesty the Queen had cancelled her diamond wedding celebrations because it was judged to be inappropriate to engage in extravagance at a time of economic gloom and recession. | He said: "It was reported this week that Her Majesty the Queen had cancelled her diamond wedding celebrations because it was judged to be inappropriate to engage in extravagance at a time of economic gloom and recession. |
| "Do you share my view that this demonstrates Her Majesty's unerring instincts for the public mood, or does the Government think she was overreacting?" | "Do you share my view that this demonstrates Her Majesty's unerring instincts for the public mood, or does the Government think she was overreacting?" |
| 'Constitutional reform' | 'Constitutional reform' |
| But Speaker Martin would not let the question be answered. | But Speaker Martin would not let the question be answered. |
| He ruled: "Order! You shouldn't discuss Her Majesty the Queen. Perhaps you can try another question. He has used one up. He can try another one." | He ruled: "Order! You shouldn't discuss Her Majesty the Queen. Perhaps you can try another question. He has used one up. He can try another one." |
| I think he made a mistake, but people make mistakes at prime minister's questions Sir Menzies CampbellFormer Lib Dem leader PMQ sketch: Harman vs Hague | I think he made a mistake, but people make mistakes at prime minister's questions Sir Menzies CampbellFormer Lib Dem leader PMQ sketch: Harman vs Hague |
| Mr Cable said he was very happy for the Labour deputy leader to "return to the issue of economic gloom and recession and whether you share that assessment." | Mr Cable said he was very happy for the Labour deputy leader to "return to the issue of economic gloom and recession and whether you share that assessment." |
| Outside the Commons he said: "It is absolutely ridiculous that in a supposedly modern democracy Members of Parliament cannot even mention the Head of State in passing without prior permission. | Outside the Commons he said: "It is absolutely ridiculous that in a supposedly modern democracy Members of Parliament cannot even mention the Head of State in passing without prior permission. |
| "This is yet more proof of the major constitutional reform needed to drag Westminster into the 21st century." | "This is yet more proof of the major constitutional reform needed to drag Westminster into the 21st century." |
| Commenting on Mr Cable's decision to mention the Queen, former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "I think he made a mistake, but people make mistakes at prime minister's questions." | Commenting on Mr Cable's decision to mention the Queen, former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "I think he made a mistake, but people make mistakes at prime minister's questions." |
| He added: "I'm sure he will be back at his pungent best." | He added: "I'm sure he will be back at his pungent best." |
| It is a Commons convention that MPs do not discuss the Queen. | It is a Commons convention that MPs do not discuss the Queen. |
| 'Sent to the Tower' | 'Sent to the Tower' |
| According to Erskine May, the guide to parliamentary practice, "the irregular use of the Queen's name to influence a decision of the House is unconstitutional in principle and inconsistent with the independence of Parliament". | According to Erskine May, the guide to parliamentary practice, "the irregular use of the Queen's name to influence a decision of the House is unconstitutional in principle and inconsistent with the independence of Parliament". |
| It adds: "Any attempt to use her name in debate to influence the judgement of Parliament is immediately checked and censured." | It adds: "Any attempt to use her name in debate to influence the judgement of Parliament is immediately checked and censured." |
| It says MPs have been reprimanded "or even sent to the Tower" for treasonable or seditious language "or disrespectful use of Her Majesty's name". | It says MPs have been reprimanded "or even sent to the Tower" for treasonable or seditious language "or disrespectful use of Her Majesty's name". |
| 'Museum piece' | 'Museum piece' |
| Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has vowed to highlight what he sees as antiquated Parliamentary procedure as part of his campaign for democratic reform. | Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has vowed to highlight what he sees as antiquated Parliamentary procedure as part of his campaign for democratic reform. |
| He has said Parliament "is fast becoming a museum piece - a 19th-century home for our 21st-century political elite". | He has said Parliament "is fast becoming a museum piece - a 19th-century home for our 21st-century political elite". |
| Last month Lib Dem frontbencher Ed Davey was thrown out of the Commons for protesting against the Speaker's decision not to allow a vote on a referendum Britain's continued membership of the EU. | Last month Lib Dem frontbencher Ed Davey was thrown out of the Commons for protesting against the Speaker's decision not to allow a vote on a referendum Britain's continued membership of the EU. |
| Fellow Lib Dem MPs walked out of the chamber in solidarity during debate on the Lisbon Treaty. | Fellow Lib Dem MPs walked out of the chamber in solidarity during debate on the Lisbon Treaty. |
| Mr Clegg told delegates at the party's spring conference in Liverpool they could expect to see further such protests. | Mr Clegg told delegates at the party's spring conference in Liverpool they could expect to see further such protests. |