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Lot Essay
The following text was printed in the publication to accompany the image:
Concert singers may receive their early training at a choir school, and actors at a dramatic academy, but there is an element of mystery concerning the manner in which politicians develop their knowledge and oratorical style. One of the ways in which they can practice their shill is through attendance at a local “Parliament,” of which there are a number of examples in London and other parts of the country. These political debating societies are run as far as possible on House of Commons lines, with Speaker, Government, official Opposition and Independents, and parties take “office” in rotation. Though, if on a major issue the “Government” is defeated in the Division Lobbies. It normally resigns and the party next in rotation is called on to form a new “government.” Just as the House of Commons is the mother of all Parliaments, so the Society at Hampstead claims to be the oldest local “Parliament” in the country. Prominent in the picture above is the mace which, the gift of a former “Speaker” of Hampstead Parliament, was ceremonially presented to it by Mr. J. H. Whitley, a former Speaker of the House of Commons, one-time colleagues in the House of Lords were the Marquess of Reading and Lord Buckmaster, both of whom made some of their early political speeches from the Hampstead benches, and the present House of Commons include at least six members who have graduated from Hampstead to “another place.” Experienced observers have been heard to suggest that debates at Hampstead maintain a higher level that their equivalents at Westminster, one of the reasons begin, perhaps, that the eloquence of members is curtailed with firmness at the end of ten minutes by “Mr. Speaker” (seen nearest to the fireplace), who rings a bell to indicate that the member who is holding the floor must resume his seat. In the present section there is, appropriately enough, a Labour Government and the “Prime Minister” is Mr. J. Stewart Cook, a bacteriologist, who un-successfully contested Henley at the General Election. He is an able Leader and a quiet but effective speaker. The Conservative Party provides a vigorous and formidable Opposition, under Wing Commander Geoffrey Stevens. There is a strong The Liberal element, and the Independent benches are also well filled. The present “speaker” is Lieut. Colonel R. R. Rutherford, who fills the office with a dignity worthy of the high traditions of Hampstead Parliament, which has now resumed its sittings after being in abeyance during the war. Meetings are held every Wednesday in the Town Hall, Hampstead.
Concert singers may receive their early training at a choir school, and actors at a dramatic academy, but there is an element of mystery concerning the manner in which politicians develop their knowledge and oratorical style. One of the ways in which they can practice their shill is through attendance at a local “Parliament,” of which there are a number of examples in London and other parts of the country. These political debating societies are run as far as possible on House of Commons lines, with Speaker, Government, official Opposition and Independents, and parties take “office” in rotation. Though, if on a major issue the “Government” is defeated in the Division Lobbies. It normally resigns and the party next in rotation is called on to form a new “government.” Just as the House of Commons is the mother of all Parliaments, so the Society at Hampstead claims to be the oldest local “Parliament” in the country. Prominent in the picture above is the mace which, the gift of a former “Speaker” of Hampstead Parliament, was ceremonially presented to it by Mr. J. H. Whitley, a former Speaker of the House of Commons, one-time colleagues in the House of Lords were the Marquess of Reading and Lord Buckmaster, both of whom made some of their early political speeches from the Hampstead benches, and the present House of Commons include at least six members who have graduated from Hampstead to “another place.” Experienced observers have been heard to suggest that debates at Hampstead maintain a higher level that their equivalents at Westminster, one of the reasons begin, perhaps, that the eloquence of members is curtailed with firmness at the end of ten minutes by “Mr. Speaker” (seen nearest to the fireplace), who rings a bell to indicate that the member who is holding the floor must resume his seat. In the present section there is, appropriately enough, a Labour Government and the “Prime Minister” is Mr. J. Stewart Cook, a bacteriologist, who un-successfully contested Henley at the General Election. He is an able Leader and a quiet but effective speaker. The Conservative Party provides a vigorous and formidable Opposition, under Wing Commander Geoffrey Stevens. There is a strong The Liberal element, and the Independent benches are also well filled. The present “speaker” is Lieut. Colonel R. R. Rutherford, who fills the office with a dignity worthy of the high traditions of Hampstead Parliament, which has now resumed its sittings after being in abeyance during the war. Meetings are held every Wednesday in the Town Hall, Hampstead.