Public no longer 'strangers' to the Commons

MPs have voted to end the ancient practice of using the term "strangers" to describe visitors to the House of Commons.

After hours of debate on Tuesday, the Commons approved plans put forward by the modernisation committee.

They voted in favour of the move by 242 to 167, a majority in favour of 75.

Supporters of the reform said use of the controversial term played a role in alienating the public from parliament.

But MPs were told that no replacement names had yet been agreed for other parts of the Commons such as the Strangers' Gallery, Strangers' Dining Room or the Strangers' Bar.

Commons leader Peter Hain had earlier told MPs that the term "strangers" dated back to 1575.

"It is my view that our visitors, our voters and citizens, are entitled to come and view our debates and shouldn't be shunted into a pigeon hole labelled 'strangers'," he said.

"As the modernisation committee said, this is the last impression we should be wanting to give to people who exercise their democratic right to visit us."

Ancient tradition

For the Conservatives, Oliver Heald had warned against the loss of the "ceremonial aspect of this ancient tradition".

"The suggestion that not calling members of the public strangers will improve the accessibility of parliament to the public is surely misguided," he argued.

"I agree we mustn't be seen to have the public viewers at work only on sufferance but I believe that stripping away the charm and magic of this place is entirely the wrong way to approach the problem.

"The last thing we want is for the long historical legacy of parliament to be gradually eroded until it becomes just another nasty New Labour style institution."

Bur Liberal Democrat Commons spokesman Paul Tyler backed the change.

"Those who send us here have a right to be treated as part of the body politic rather than strangers to it," he said.

Heated debate

The issue also provoked heated debated among backbenchers, with traditionalists mocking the suggestion that a change in vocabulary would tackle voter apathy.

"I have never yet heard anyone say to me that they found our use of the term 'stranger' offensive," said Conservative MP Eric Forth.

"I have never heard anyone say they were deterred from coming here to the Palace of Westminster because they were referred to as 'strangers'."

He added: "Why don't we call them guests? Why don't we call them stakeholders?

"Surely we can find something more welcoming than, as has been suggested, mere public.

"If we are going to go down this route we ought to get a lot more cuddly, a lot more welcoming."

And fellow backbench Tory Sir Patrick Cormack said he had never heard any visitor complain about the reception received when visiting the Commons.

"If we think by tinkering with the word 'strangers' we are helping to give people the parliament they deserve, we are deluding ourselves and indeed we are guilty of a massive confidence trick," he added.

Updated procedures

The debate on Tuesday also saw MPs back a series of other reforms to their procedures for scrutinising legislation.

Most controversially, they voted to make permanent a series of reforms covering the timetabling of bills, which critics said would increase the power of the executive.

Hain gave his backing to the new approach, which he said would ensure the "proper timetabling of bills" and better management of government business.

He denied moves to timetable legislation was "a whim of the government".

But Heald described the approach to timetabling as "an oppressive regime".

The government’s approach meant the "imposition of the guillotine as a routine practice", the shadow leader told MPs.

Despite Tory opposition, Hain said the new approach would allow MPs to better scrutinise the legislation.

Other changes backed by the MPs will give the Speaker powers to set a time limit of three minutes for speeches made by backbench MPs during debates.

The use of deferred divisions, where MPs vote on a range of business days after the debates have taken place, was made permanent.

And allowing bills to be carried over into the next session of parliament was also made a standing order.