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Parliamentary Language Parliaments and legislative bodies around the world impose certain rules and standards during debates. Tradition has evolved that there are words or phrases that are deemed inappropriate for use in the legislature whilst it is in session. In a Westminster system, this is called unparliamentary language and there are similar rules in other kinds of legislative system. This includes, but is not limited to the suggestion of dishonesty or the use of profanity. The most prohibited case is any suggestion that another member is dishonourable. So, for example, suggesting that another member is lying is forbidden.[1] Exactly what constitutes unparliamentary language is generally left to the discretion of the Speaker of the House. Part of the speaker's job is to enforce the assembly's debating rules, one of which is that members may not use "unparliamentary" language. That is, their words must not offend the dignity of the assembly. In addition, legislators in some places are protected from prosecution and civil actions by parliamentary immunitywhich generally stipulates that they cannot be sued or otherwise prosecuted for anything spoken in the legislature. Consequently they are expected to avoid using words or phrases that might be seen as abusing that immunity. Like other rules that have changed with the times, speakers' rulings on unparliamentary language reflect the tastes of the period. Canada[edit] These are some of the words and phrases that speakers through the years have ruled "unparliamentary" in the Parliament of Canada, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, and the National Assembly of Québec: parliamentary pugilist (1875) a bag of wind (1878) inspired by forty-rod whisky (1881)[3] coming into the world by accident (1886) blatherskite (1890) the political sewer pipe from Carleton County (1917) lacking in intelligence (1934) a dim-witted saboteur (1956) liar (consistently from 1959 to the present) hypocrisy, hypocrite (from the early years through the tenure of Speaker Gilbert Parent; apparently not ruled unparliamentary by Speaker Peter Milliken) a trained seal (1961) evil genius (1962) Canadian Mussolini (1964) pompous ass (1967) fuddle duddle (1971)—probably the most famous example in Canada pig (1977) jerk (1980) sleaze bag (1984) racist (1986) scuzzball (1988) girouette (French for "weathervane", Québec 2007) bully (2011) a piece of shit (Justin Trudeau to Peter Kent, Question period 2011)[4] Fart (2016) Hong Kong[edit] The President of the Legislative Council ordered out for using the following phrases: 臭罌出臭草 (foul grass grows out of a foul ditch), when referring to some of the members (1996).[5] The following phrases have been deemed unparliamentary by the President of the Legislative Council: 仆街 (literally stumble on street, loosely translated as "go die" or "go to hell") widely considered by Hong Kongers as unacceptable language in civil settings (2009). This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it. India[edit] In 2012, the Indian Parliament published a book of words and phrases that were considered to be unparliamentary:[6] Bad Man Badmashi Bag of shit Bandicoot Communist Double-minded Goonda Rat Ringmaster Scumbag Randi Ireland[edit] In Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas (Parliament) in Ireland, the Ceann Comhairle (chair) has ruled that it is disorderly for one Teachta Dála (deputy) to describe another as a: benny pair of bennies (in the case of two TDs) brat buffoon chancer communist corner boy coward fascist gurrier guttersnipe hypocrite rat scumbag scurrilous speaker yahoo Or to insinuate that a TD is lying or drunk; or has violated the secrets of cabinet, or doctored an official report.[7] Also, the reference to "handbagging", particularly with reference to a female member of the House, has been deemed to be unparliamentary.[8] The Dáil maintains a document, Salient Rulings of the Chair which covers behaviour in and out of the House by TDs; section 428 of this lists unparliamentary speech.[9][10] In December 2009, Paul Gogarty apologised in advance for using "unparliamentary language" prior to shouting "fuck you!" at an opposition chief whip.[9] This phrase was not one of those listed explicitly as inappropriate, prompting calls for a review.[11] Seán Barrett, Ceann Comhairle of the 31st Dáil accused TDs of being like "gurriers shouting on a street at each other". He said he would not apologise for this.[12] Italy[edit] The use of foul language in Parliament produced jurisprudence by the constitutional court, which has implemented the libel suits.[13] New Zealand[edit] The Parliament of New Zealand maintains a list of words, and particularly phrases, that the Speaker has ruled are unbecoming, insulting, or otherwise unparliamentary. These include:[14] idle vapourings of a mind diseased (1946) his brains could revolve inside a peanut shell for a thousand years without touching the sides (1949) energy of a tired snail returning home from a funeral (1963) The Parliament also maintains a list of language that has been uttered in the House, and has been found not to be unparliamentary; this includes: commo (meaning communist, 1969) scuttles for his political funk hole (1974) Norway[edit] In 2009, a member of the Progress Party was interrupted during question period by the Speaker for calling a minister a "highway bandit".[citation needed] United Kingdom[edit] In House of Commons of the United Kingdom, the following words have been deemed unparliamentary over time: bastard[15] blackguard coward deceptive[16] dodgy[17] drunk falsehoods[18] git guttersnipe hooligan hypocrite idiot ignoramus liar pipsqueak[19] rat swine stoolpigeon tart traitor[20] sod slimy wart In addition, accusations of 'crooked deals' or insinuation of the use of banned substances by a member are considered unparliamentary language (all attributable to Dennis Skinner).[21] The word 'dodgy' when used by Ed Miliband, was not however, found to be unparliamentary.[22] Northern Ireland[edit] The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, William Hay MLA, gave a ruling in the Chamber on 24 November 2009 on unparliamentary language.[23] In essence rather than making judgements on the basis of particular words or phrases that have been ruled to be unparliamentarily in the Assembly or elsewhere the Speaker said that he would judge Members' remarks against standards of courtesy, good temper and moderation which he considered to be the standards of parliamentary debate. He went on to say that in making his judgement he would consider the nature of Members' remarks and the context in which they were made. In 2013, Hay ruled that insinuation of MLAs being members of proscribed organizations was unparliamentary language.[24] Wales[edit] In the National Assembly for Wales the Presiding Officer has intervened when the term "lying" has been used. In December 2004, the Presiding Officer notably sent Leanne Wood out of the chamber for referring to Queen Elizabeth II as "Mrs Windsor".[25] United States[edit] In the USA, representatives were censured for using unparliamentary language in the House of Representatives throughout its history. Other levels of government have similar disciplinary procedures dealing with inappropriate words spoken in the legislature. It is a point of pride among some British MPs to be able to insult their opponents in the House without use of unparliamentary language. Several MPs, notably Sir Winston Churchill, have been considered masters of this game.[citation needed] Some terms which have evaded the Speaker's rules are: Terminological inexactitude (lie) Being economical with the truth (lying by omission), since used on the floor of the house as an insult or taunt. Tired and emotional, a euphemism for intoxicated Clare Short implicitly accused the Employment minister Alan Clark of being drunk at the dispatch box shortly after her election in 1983, but avoided using the word, saying that Clark was "incapable". Clark's colleagues on the Conservative benches in turn accused Short of using unparliamentary language and the Speaker asked her to withdraw her accusation. Clark later admitted in his diaries that Short had been correct in her assessment. In 1991, Speaker Bernard Weatherill, adjudged that usage of "jerk" by Opposition leader Neil Kinnock was not unparliamentary language.[26] Scottish National Party MPs have descended on Westminster and are apparently breaking parliamentary rules by taking selfies and applauding. Heres are some other things MPs can't do. Use anyone’s names This rule sounds like part of a bad drinking game, but it’s true. MPs are not allowed to refer to each other by name and instead always refer to “the honourable member for…” the place they were elected to. If you can’t remember where someone is MP for you can refer to them as “the honourable gentleman” or “the honourable lady”. If you’re talking about someone from the same party they can be referred to as “my honourable friend”, while members of the privy council – usually ministers –are “the right honourable”. The exception to this is the Speaker, who can refer to anyone he likes by name. Talk to anyone except the Speaker MPs are only allowed to speak to one person in the House of Commons: the Speaker. Nobody else is ever directly addressed. This is why politicians talk in the way that they do, beginning their sentences with “Mr Speaker”, and referring to “he” or “she” instead of “you” when making points about their opponents or friends in a debate. In reality, MPs do chat and whisper to each other on the back-benches, though this isn't part of the debate. Take photos No one is allowed to take photos or shoot videos in the chamber apart from the fixed TV cameras we’re used to seeing debates through.This is one of the reasons why the BBC’s recent documentary, Inside The Commons, was so striking – it brought the place to life with angles we don’t normally see.
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