Parliament

I mentioned in a previous post that this is the year of elections around the world with 2024 being more than just an election year.  This is perhaps the election year.

Globally, more voters than ever before will go to the polls, as at least 64 countries (plus the European Union)—representing approximately 49% of the world’s population—are scheduled to hold national elections.

In my country, South Africa we are 3 days away from voting in an election that most people hope will turn around the absolute destruction by our ruling party over the last 30 years.

A couple of days ago I heard a discussion about the origins of the word parliament and some interesting facts about parliaments across the world.

Origin of the word Parliament

The word “parliament” has French origins, deriving from the French word “parler,” which means “to talk” or “to speak”.  This etymology reflects the fundamental purpose of a parliament: a place for discussion and debate. The concept of a parliamentary body evolved naturally over time as a solution to the daily political needs of rulers and their governments, rather than being deliberately designed from the outset.

I once heard someone said that they don’t understand why the French use so many letters if they are only going to pronounce half of them when they speak.  The same goes for parler, which is pronounced /paʁ.le/.  This notation uses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to represent the sounds:

/p/: A voiceless bilabial plosive, similar to the “p” in “speak.”

IPA phonetics

/a/: An open front unrounded vowel, like the “a” in “father.”

/ʁ/: A voiced uvular fricative, which is a guttural “r” sound typical in French.

/l/: A voiced alveolar lateral approximant, similar to the “l” in “like.”

/e/: A close-mid front unrounded vowel, like the “e” in “bed.”

Two Houses to this day – The Bicameral System

The House of Lords has its roots in the period when the King of England was assisted in ruling by lords and clergy as counsellors. Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the kings would confer on issues of state, taxation, and legislation with a smaller, permanent inner council made up of barons, bishops, and other high-ranking officials.

During the Anglo-Saxon era, the Witan, a gathering of the king’s principal counsellors, nobles, and religious authorities, gave rise to these councils. These councils eventually gave rise to the Great Council of peers and bishops, which is today known as the Parliament of England.

The House of Commons was established in the 13th century as part of the evolution of the English Parliament. Its creation was driven by the need for broader representation and a more democratic approach to governance.

Model Parliament (1295) – Summoned by King Edward I, the Model Parliament included not only nobles and clergy but also elected representatives from counties and boroughs. This marked a significant step towards the establishment of the House of Commons as a distinct body.

Reasons for Its Establishment:

Representation: The House of Commons was established to represent the broader population, including commoners from various counties and boroughs, providing a counterbalance to the aristocratic House of Lords.

Taxation and Legislation: The Commons gained the exclusive right to grant taxes and vote on expenditures, ensuring that the populace had a say in financial matters and the making of laws.

Political Balance: The establishment of the House of Commons created a bicameral system that balanced the influence of the monarchy and the nobility with that of the common people, promoting a more democratic and accountable government.

Why the Red and Green?

The use of red and green colours extends to the chairs, seats, and carpets in the UK Parliament:

House of Lords – Red: In the House of Lords, red is prominently used in the upholstery, carpets, and other furnishings.  As an expensive and rare colour at the time, red symbolised nobility royalty and authority.

House of Commons – Green: Similarly, in the House of Commons, green is the dominant colour for the benches, seats, and other furnishings.  This tradition highlights the chamber’s association with the common people and its more modest origins where green was readily available from nature.

These colour schemes have been maintained for several centuries and in many countries, reinforcing the distinct identities and roles of the two houses within the UK Parliament.