Westminster Parliament: The World’s Most Entertaining Political Circus

The Westminster Parliament, also known as the Houses of Parliament, is the beating heart of British politics. It is the place where the fate of the country is decided, where laws are made, and where politicians go to perform their greatest acts of buffoonery.

The Parliament is housed in a majestic and imposing neo-Gothic building that was constructed in the mid-19th century. Despite its grandeur, the place is often more akin to a comedy club than a serious legislative chamber.

The main attraction of the Parliament is the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session. This is where the leader of the country is grilled by opposition MPs, who relish the opportunity to embarrass and ridicule the PM in front of a packed House.

But it’s not just PMQs that provides the entertainment. The House of Commons, the lower chamber of the Parliament, is a raucous and rowdy place. It’s not uncommon for MPs to shout insults at each other, throw papers, and even engage in full-blown fistfights.

And then there’s the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the Parliament. This is where members of the aristocracy and religious leaders get to have their say on important matters of state. Of course, they do so while wearing ceremonial robes and sitting on plush red benches, which only adds to the absurdity of the whole affair.

One of the highlights of the parliamentary calendar is the State Opening of Parliament. This is a pomp and circumstance-laden event that marks the beginning of each parliamentary session. The Queen arrives in a horse-drawn carriage, wearing a crown and a fur cape, and delivers a speech that outlines the government’s agenda for the coming year.

But the State Opening is not without its own moments of hilarity. One of the most famous incidents occurred in 2017 when a group of male MPs, all wearing top hats, decided to stage a mock sword fight in the middle of the ceremony. Needless to say, the Queen was not amused.

In short, the Westminster Parliament is a place where politics, comedy, and theater collide in a riotous explosion of absurdity. If you’re ever in London, be sure to visit and witness the show for yourself. Just be prepared to get caught up in the madness.