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Andrew Dismore on filibusters and the rules in the UK Parliament Andrew Dismore on filibusters and the rules in the UK Parliament
(3 months later)
Our parliament has different rules to the US Senate. There you can read out a telephone directory when playing for time. Here it is like Radio 4's Just a Minute. You mustn't hesitate or deviate when speaking. The current rules mean it is impossible to speak for longer than four hours. I set the record for this century in 2005 when I spoke for three hours and 17 minutes, defeating a Tory bill to give householders more powers to defend themselves from burglars.Our parliament has different rules to the US Senate. There you can read out a telephone directory when playing for time. Here it is like Radio 4's Just a Minute. You mustn't hesitate or deviate when speaking. The current rules mean it is impossible to speak for longer than four hours. I set the record for this century in 2005 when I spoke for three hours and 17 minutes, defeating a Tory bill to give householders more powers to defend themselves from burglars.
The way you prepare for a filibuster is very different to writing a speech. The aim is not to run out of steam. You want to build up a tree of points that you wish to make. You must make them in a coherent order or the speaker could stop you. You are allowed to pause for three to four seconds, but it is risky to go any longer than that. Crossing your legs for the duration is essential.The way you prepare for a filibuster is very different to writing a speech. The aim is not to run out of steam. You want to build up a tree of points that you wish to make. You must make them in a coherent order or the speaker could stop you. You are allowed to pause for three to four seconds, but it is risky to go any longer than that. Crossing your legs for the duration is essential.
It is also essential to have a support team. You need your colleagues to make interventions when you are starting to flag. The best thing that can happen is that an opposition member tries to make a point. This gives you time to answer it in detail before returning to your wider points. Ideally, over a three-hour speech, you would want 20-30 interventions. Arguing over the meaning of terms such as "could" and "might" is a useful delaying tactic, too.It is also essential to have a support team. You need your colleagues to make interventions when you are starting to flag. The best thing that can happen is that an opposition member tries to make a point. This gives you time to answer it in detail before returning to your wider points. Ideally, over a three-hour speech, you would want 20-30 interventions. Arguing over the meaning of terms such as "could" and "might" is a useful delaying tactic, too.
The speaker judges whether you have deviated from the topic. I once read out a list of London bus routes, but I broke them up and made sure I made a point about each one. I also remember once reading out a long list of shellfish. But it is crucial you stay on topic.The speaker judges whether you have deviated from the topic. I once read out a list of London bus routes, but I broke them up and made sure I made a point about each one. I also remember once reading out a long list of shellfish. But it is crucial you stay on topic.
There is no coaching or training. I would prepare all week, on and off, for a Friday filibuster. [Filibusters typically occur on a Friday because this is the day when private members bills can, for 13 Fridays a year, take precedence over government business.] But it takes longer to prepare for a 15-minute speech. I could do a filibuster for an hour without notes if it was a topic that I was passionate about. Eric Forth, the late Tory MP, was renowned for his filibusters. Chris Chope is another MP with such a reputation. It's not ideal, but it's the system we have. Until it is reformed, filibusters will continue.There is no coaching or training. I would prepare all week, on and off, for a Friday filibuster. [Filibusters typically occur on a Friday because this is the day when private members bills can, for 13 Fridays a year, take precedence over government business.] But it takes longer to prepare for a 15-minute speech. I could do a filibuster for an hour without notes if it was a topic that I was passionate about. Eric Forth, the late Tory MP, was renowned for his filibusters. Chris Chope is another MP with such a reputation. It's not ideal, but it's the system we have. Until it is reformed, filibusters will continue.
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