There are certain traditions in the working of the Parliament.
Dragging the Speaker of the House of Commons
After a general election, when a new Speaker is elected, he is physically dragged to his chair by the other MPs. This custom symbolizes the function of the Speaker who represents the members of the House of Commons to the monarch. It is a myth that if the monarch did not agree with the message being communicated, then the there will an early death of the Speaker. Therefore, previously, the Speakers required some gentle persuasion to accept the post.
Voting
While voting in the House of Commons, the MPs say ‘aye’ or ‘no’ whereas in the House of Lords, they say ‘content’ or ‘not content’.
Prayers
Every session of the Parliament starts with Christian prayers. The Speaker’s Chaplain usually reads the prayers in the House of Commons whereas the senior Bishop, who is also a member of the House of Lords reads the prayers in the House of Lords.
Catching the Speaker’s Eyes
The Speaker invites a MP to speak in the House of Commons. In order to catch the eye of the Speaker, the MPs either rise or half rise from their seats.
The Woolsack in the House of Lords
The seat of the Lords Speaker in the House of Lords is known as the Woolsack. The Woolsack is a huge, wool – stuffed cushion or seat Covered with a read cloth.
The Lord Speaker on the Woolsack
The debates in the House of Lords are presided over by the Lord Speaker. However the Lord Speaker does not control the Lords like the Speaker controls the members in the House of Commons. The Members of the Lords regulate their own discussions. Whoever presides over the House in the absence of the Lord Speaker, then that Woolsack is used by him. The Mace is placed on the rear of the Woolsack behind the Lord Speaker when the House of lords is sitting.
The Woolsack of the Judges
The Judge’s Woolsack is a larger Woolsack set in front of the Woolsack in the House of Lords Chamber. The Judge’s Woolsack is occupied by the senior judges during the State opening of the Parliament. This has been the practice since the medieval ages. During the normal sittings of the House, any member of the Lords may also sit on it.
