PARLIAMENT OR CIRCUS?
Possibly members of the Labour Party, when they see iho galleries crowded in the evening, interpret this as public interest and public admiration for the protest lliey are making against the Government's proposals. They deceive themselves. Most of the people attracted to the galleries are drawn by the prospect of what they would describe as "some ftm." They go to the House, not to hear argument and reasoning on ihe economic position, but as they would go to a circus. They exl>rrl downing, and they urc. not dis-
appointed. Mow c.iii I hey be expected to respect an institution which (hey regard in this way? The dignity of Parliament cannot be maintained when members themselves burlesque tlie proceedings. And the parly primarily responsible for this is the very party which affirms the dignity of democracy, and thinks thai dignify is to be assured by buffoonery. At: a time when there is need for economy the Labour Parly wastes money by keeping the House idle at a cost of about £2000 a week (exclusive of the salaries of Ministers and members), and when respect for the Parliamentary system should be encouraged it heaps contempt upon it by converting it into a circus.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1931, Page 8
Word Count
204PARLIAMENT OR CIRCUS? Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 73, 27 March 1931, Page 8
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