American Reacts to UK's Weirdest Political Traditions!

Hold on to your wigs, folks, because we're diving headfirst into the wacky world of British politics! These some of the UK's quirkiest political traditions that will leave you scratching your head in disbelief!
Original Video: • What are the UK’s Weir...
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#BritishPolitics #PoliticalTraditions #WeirdAndWonderful

[@davidmarshall6616]

When the door is slammed in the face of black rod it's a reminder that the commons is independent of the crown as black rod is a messenger of the crown. No monarch is allowed to set foot in the house of commons. The last time a King entered the commons it didn't end well for him. Charles the first was beheaded.

[@PHDarren]

Monarch only exercises legal ownership of Mute Swans on one stretch of the River Thames around Windsor.

[@julianaylor4351]

However killing wild swans is an offence under wildlife laws, regardless of the location it happens in. People have been prosecuted for doing so.

[@barbaralee4301]

​julianaylor4351q 11q111

[@nicw5574]

There is a lot of traditions that do seem unusual, not just political ones, but it is great how old these traditions are. I really appreciate how historical we are over here and I find it fascinating.

[@JungleTunes94]

Its like a bus, if you dont get a seat you stand up. From what I gather its rare that everyone is in

[@klaxoncow]

The seating arrangement has an interesting backstory. You might have noticed that the Parliament building is called "the Palace of Westminster". And it originally was a Royal Palace, owned by the Monarch. But when representative democracy and Parliament was introduced, they needed a building - equivalent to the Ancient Roman "Senate" - in which to hold their debates and conduct their business. So they basically took over one of the royal palaces and converted it into a Parliamentary building. And the House of Commons was the palace's church. So, amusingly, where the MPs sit either side of the central aisle is basically where the choir boys would have sat (MPs know this and are the first to make all the jokes about them being "no choir boys" in their conduct). Where the Speaker sits is essentially the pulpit and the table in front of the two leaders would have been the altar. Well, that said, over the centuries, it's been converted and renovated many times - as mentioned in the video, it was rebuilt after the Nazis bombed it, but there was also the time when the Palace of Westminster burnt to the ground (long story, but they used to record tax records by making notches in wooden sticks and, therefore, the Palace had a basement full of "tax records" that was essentially a big pile of firewood and it caught fire, burning most of the original palace building down. I know, it sounds like a joke, but that really did happen). So, really, it's not really the original church floor plan anymore. But once it was established - the central aisle, the two sets of "choir boy" seats facing each other, the Speaker taking the raised "pulpit" seat to be seen and heard by the MPs, the altar re-used as a handy table to put your speech on, when you're about to make a speech, etc. - then, by "tradition", it's all been kept to the same basic design and plan. But, yeah, the room they're in used to be the Monarch's personal church in their palace. But they took over the palace, and took over the church for the Commons, to have somewhere to conduct their Parliamentary business. Look at it again, it's a traditional church floor plan. Central aisle for procession, two sets of facing seats for the choir, the Speaker raised up in his / her "pulpit" to be seen and heard by the congregation and the table they speak at is an extension of what used to be the altar.

[@duntalkin]

Well described 😊

[@madmark1957]

Well yes in the states you do have a semicircle but you lack a reliably working system of government.

[@klaxoncow]

But the semicircle of seats is real nice, to be fair. There is that.

[@mauricestevenson5740]

I will not take advice on any aspect of government/parliament from anyone who tolerated the rule of Nixon, Bush the Younger or von Schitzenpants. The notion that Trump presided over anything even remotely resembling "a reliably working system of government" is laughable. If he gets another crack at the job, all I will say is that they got the president they deserve.

[@jumpjet777]

Strange women lying around in ponds distributing swords is probably the most reliable working system of government 👍 ................... (© Monty Python'ish)

[@JohnImrie]

@@jumpjet777 Ah, so you've seen Penny Mordant

[@jumpjet777]

@@JohnImrie Seen her? I'm married to her....... 😁

[@robt2778]

One tradition that's been left out is the election of a new Speaker of the House of Commons. If there is no speaker, the most senior member of the House ( known as the Father/Mother of the House) presides of the election. When somebody is then elected that person refuses to take the chair and has to get physical dragged to the chair by other MPs. Once upon a time being Speaker was a potentially dangerous job as it often meant communicating unwelcome news to the king, and several speakers lost their heads. It's no longer such a precarious job ( though our American cousins seem to be keeping up the tradition of making the Speakership a potential poisoned chalice).

[@bionicgeekgrrl]

The speaker is still a elected mp. Conventions however dictate they run unopposed during a general elections however they have no voting powers in Parliament and therefore technically don't represent their constituency.

[@JohnImrie]

@@bionicgeekgrrl They have the casting vote if there is a tie, and by convention vote for the status quo

[@reluctantheist5224]

The Monarch is allowed into the House of Lords but not the House of Commons. So when the King summons the House of Commons to hear the King's speech the House of Commons slams the door on His representative to show they are independent from the Monarch.

[@neuralwarp]

Funny, isn't it. America has a semicircle house but only 2 parties. Britain has a face-to-face house and at least 8 parties present.

[@davidberesford7009]

I came looking for this comment.

[@DylanSargesson]

They don't actually have to go to the Prayers - they can pop in before the Prayers start, place their card, and don't have to stay. Having prayers at the start of the legislative day seems unmodern but its actually very common around the world, including in the US Congress (of course they don't need to reserve seats because they have one each). An interesting consequence of the unassigned seating is that an MP can make a political point by where they choose to sit. For example if an MP was to switch political parties (which is usually very rare but has happened twice in the last month) they can theatrically walk across the Chamber to sit with their new colleagues, to a huge reaction.

[@Omarkay76]

All MPs wishing to attend a parliamentary debate is able to do so... they just might need to stand.

[@joshua.910]

You massively overthought 'Westminster system'😂

[@julianaylor4351]

Little history lesson : The tradition of Black Rod, started after the Restoration of the Stuart dynasty, to commemorate the dissolving of Parliament by Cromwell, so asserting its independence...in other words, never again, can anyone stop the House of Commons sitting, when it should, plus, Black Rod also came to the Commons to shut it down and help Charles the first, attempted to arrest several members, but the door was shut and the threatened MPs escaped. So again even the Monarchy and the Lords, are not allowed total power over the Commons. Its more symbolic too, now, because the Lords lost their veto after the Liberals removed it with a law, in the early 20th century, because they obstructed important reforms, plus the Monarchy lost many powers over Parliament, during Glorious Revolution, when James the second was desposed in favour of one of his daughters and her Dutch husband.

[@bencollins4168]

No mentioned of the mace without which no parliamentary business can be contacted as the crown is not represented without it or how the devision lobbys work

[@peterwaddington7469]

We also have the weird tradition of flying our national flag the RIGHT WAY UP!! The opening shot from tldr shows the flag the wrong way up. I wonder if their journalistic research is similarly accurate?

[@watfordjc]

You might want to react to a State Opening of Parliament that is commentated, with the Crown Jewels making their way to Parliament in their own vehicles, the Royal Standard being hoisted up the flag pole the moment the monarch steps foot through the door, His Majesty/Her Majesty disappearing into the Robing Room to don the crown and robes, Black Rod hitting the door 3 times in the same place their predecessors hit it, the House of Commons ceremonial mace (House of Commons talking stick) being carried to the Lords and the House of Lords mace being sat on a pillow so only the monarch is allowed to speak, watching the monarch's political neutrality whilst regurgitating the words that "my Government" has forced them to say, etc. You have your designated survivor, we have the MP that's taken to Buckingham Palace as a hostage. Your designated survivor becomes POTUS if everyone dies, our hostage gets executed (if tradition survived capital punishment being outlawed).

[@joescarecrow]

This would be a great video for him to check out. Pity ge doesn't read comments

[@davidjones3890]

Don't forget to mention the MPs' boisterous and rowdy demeanor as they enter the House of Lords to show their contempt for the entitled Lords respective to their own elected positions.

[@omegasue]

The saying “toe the line” comes from this tradition … your toe must not go beyond the red line

[@lynnejamieson2063]

The number of MP’s fluctuates depending on the size of the population. It also isn’t expected that all MP’s will be in attendance every day as there will be some that are working in committees and some that will be taking local surgeries (a regular day where constituents can have a face to face meeting with their MP in their constituency) or some that will be attending to other constituency work or functions. Wigs are not a governmental tradition in the UK and were only worn in parliament when they were fashionable. Wigs are however a tradition for judges in the legal system and for barristers (legal representatives in court).

[@threestepssideways1202]

The wigs et al are synonymous with the Judiciary. Just like your country parliament (legislative body) is separate from the courts (Judicial and Wiggy body).

[@neuralwarp]

There's at least 4 kinds of non judge lawyer who wear different wigs.

[@bencollins4168]

Wigs were taken out of parliament by John Bercow as the speaker of the House had to wear them along with other robes and the like

[@NeilMcIntoshHarlequeen]

The thing around the king's neck is an ermine, made from dead stoats in their winter fur (also known as ermine). Another tradition, but not just British.

[@archiebald4717]

You do not need a license to watch the telly.

[@Omarkay76]

Almost - it would be more like saying "the capitol system". Westminster is actually just the part of London in which the houses of parliament can be found.

[@alumpy-acho112]

No you don’t go to church, the prayer is in the House of Commons chamber

[@JacknVictor]

8:20 A SUCCULENT CHINESE MEAL!

[@germankitty]

Parliament meets in rooms situated in Westminster Palace. The name is frequently used as a shortcut for the English government (as opposed to the Scottish, say) -- as in "decisions made by Westminster today ...".

[@TomiThemself]

Fun fact: There isn't even one part of the constitution that says that Prime Minister exists. It's just a constitutional convention - unwritten rules that guide most of British politics. The more you know... Second fun fact: The UK does not have codified constitutions. That means, there isn't one law that is "the constitution", but rather many acts of parliament, writs, wills, royal charters and/or treaties; that were collected over the years (in another words, the UK is literally just a regular monarchy, that is only regulated by some treaties, that could be from 1987, 1651, but also even from 1289).

[@kdog4587]

Hahaa barton in the beans is 2 villages away from me :D

[@LalaDepala_00]

"What a strange pose" That's a man farting after getting home if I've ever seen it

[@jillybrooke29]

Thats the Gallery looking over the MPs

[@bryanromans2331]

Not all debates are attended by all mp's only when there is a major debate do seats need to be reserved - on many days the place is half empty

[@RaptorJesus.]

Snuff is also a kind of pr0n based around death and necrophilia...so my friend told me.

[@JacknVictor]

Same as scat not just being a type of jazz infused music.

[@Codex7777]

Most debates won't have all MPs in attendance. For major debates and various special occasions, some MPs have to stan, crammed in at the entrance, opposite the Speaker's chair. The upper galleries are for the Press and for the public, respectively. The monarch's throne sits in the same position as the Speaker's chair does but in the House of Lords, (red benches) rather than in the House of Commons (green benches). Most of the time Parliament isn't rowdy and is usually incredibly dull. Of course the media only shows the more heated moments. These are usually during "Prime Minister's Questions". This is a half hour session, once a week, when Parliament is in session. Everybody crams in and questions are put to the Prime Minister. Usually toadying questions from his own side anddifficult, or mocking questions from the Opposition parties. The Leader of the Opposition (usually the leader of the party with the most MPs, that isn't part of the government) is allowed 3 questions. It usually turns into a clash between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, with each trying to score (metaphorical) points off each other, directly facing each other, just a few feet apart, with their parties voiciferously egging them on, in the ranks behind them. The media focuses on this one brief moment each week, which gives entirely the wrong impression of how Parliament operates. Btw, if you hear the term 'frontbenches or frontbencher, or backbenches or backbencher, it directly relates to where someone sits and is shorthand for who's important and who's less so. On the Government frontbenches, sits the Prime Minister and the most important cabinet ministers (officially we have cabinet government, with an executive formed of senior cabinet ministers, officially governing on behalf of the monarch. The PRIME Minister is is said to be 'First Among Equals' but everyone knows that, de facto, they're the head honcho). Opposite the Government frontbench is the Opposition frontbench. Here sits the Leader of the Opposition and his 'Shadow Cabinet'. For every Government Cabinet Minister, there'll be a Shadow Minister, to literally 'shadow the Minister, sharing the same brief and holding them to account. For instance the Defence Secretary will face off against the Shadow Defence Secretary. The Opposition (offially - 'His or Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition) is sometimes referred to as 'The Government in Waiting. Thus the most important people in the House are nearly all 'frontbenchers'. You'll hear phrases such as "They've resigned from the frontbench and have taken up a seat on the backbenches" or"He or she is a fairly unremarkable backbencher" or "They won't be on the backbenches for long. They're going places" etc etc. There's so much 'arcane' procedure and tradition but I've gone on long enough, so I'll shut up now! :)

[@Nick-kf4td]

Something weird is that MPs cant resign their seat. In order to stop being an MP the house has to vote them a minor position within the peerage as it is not possible to be an mp and have a landed title. There are only two positions available for this and prevents resignations enmasse. After gaining their title and stopping being an MP they just resign their new title.

[@Codex7777]

Parliament, most of the important ministries, the Prime Minister's official residence, 10 Downing Street, the Chancellor of the Exchequer's (Finance Minister) official residence, 11 Downing Street and the senior branches of the Civil Service, are all in Westminster. The centre of British political power has been centred at Westminster for a long, long time. Westminster also contains the 2 most important royal residences, St Jame' Palace and Buckingham Palace and also Westminster Abbey, the site of every coronation since 1066, (bar one) the site of most royal funerals, the burial site of the most monarchs and the graves, or national memorials, to the great and good of the realm, William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton etc.

[@Masque54]

For those who don't get a reserved seat there is standing room. When issues of great importance are being considered by the house you will often see a large group of people standing just inside the main doors to the chamber. This ensures that all representatives always have access to the house, as is their right. It may just mean that you have to stand while the issue that is of interest to your constituents is being debated. Don't want to stand? Go to Prayers and reserve a seat!!

[@vtbn53]

Is it like Robert's rules of conduct? As if anyone not from the US would know what they hell that means? Oh! and he doesn't have an accent YOU do!

[@julianaylor4351]

There have been rumours for years, that less MP, could be achieved by boundary changes, but it has never happened. Every time they do change the boundaries, there are political changes, but rarely less MPs.

[@gingersperg]

You use a LOT of contrast, it makes you look robotic 😂 Also, Westminster system just refers to the fact that the system is held in Westminster. You could say the DC system or the white house system, I guess.

[@stopthink7202]

We need to get rid of those lines in the house of commons and bring the swords back. Sunak looks a bit of a pussy to me and would get carved up in no time? Who do you guys think would be last man (or woman) standing if they all had swords?

[@martinconnelly1473]

The lines are purely decoration and nothing more. They do not go back to a time when everybody had swords as in those days the floor was plain and unadorned with no such lines.

[@JanineCrainich-rj6sx]

Hey, I know this is going off topic for this reaction, but I know you love great music so how come you’ve never reacted to s Scottish singer 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 called: PAOLO NUTINI “Iron Sky” live Abbey Road Studios? This man sings with everything he has and becomes the music 🎼🎵 🎶 All I can say is he is an exceptional singer and performer, a joy to watch with POWERFUL lyrics!!!💯🔥🔥🔥

[@helenwood8482]

The rumour about the lines is not true.

[@grahamgresty8383]

Yes we could have a semi circle but then we wouldn't be able to tell the differences in the political parties.....just like in the US!

[@nolajoy7759]

I should think the king would be wearing ermine (royal ermine?) on the shoulders of his cloak... but also I might just have imagined that so don't come for me.

[@jasoncallow860]

650 representatives for a country smaller than the US state of Oregon sounds pretty democratic to me.

[@JungleTunes94]

I think the issue was the 420 seats in the building but if theres more than 420 the rest can just stand

[@Masque54]

Population of Oregon, 4.3 million. Population of UK, 67.8million. Get it now?

[@jasoncallow860]

@@Masque54 My point is. The USA has 535 representatives for 335 million people. The UK has 650 for 67million. Which is more representative?

[@Tom-nm9qy]

A spitoon

[@OiiRobbi3x]

JJ please watch some standup your my fav reactor

[@alananderson5731]

The man is speaking English, one day when you grow up you may be able learn it ,have a nice day.

[@helenwood8482]

Monarchy is weird, says the chap whose head of state was Trump.

[@WookieWarriorz]

Sword fights are not an issue. Knife crime can be in some places but remember no guns (30 deaths total in uk compared to 20k homicides alone with gun) and the uk still has way less knife crime than the usa... The usa has over 65 cities with homicide rates higher than 12 per 100,000 people with a bunch sitting at 40-60 per 100,000 people this rsLate in LONDON is 12 per Million. Thats right the safer american cities still have at minimum 5x to 10x the murder rate of London and a bunch of cities have up to 60x the amount of murders as london. Uk also has way less traffic deaths, way less deaths at child birth etc etc

[@Papa_Meow_Meow]

D'f**k are you on about?

[@terryarkle7477]

And you are weird.

[@FelixGoesPlaces]

I'm first

[@Jamie_D]

congrats, your medal is on the way :)

[@skiptrailer7048]

I love your face, it's beautiful but this stuff is new to all people in the UK and not relevant to anything

[@Jamie_D]

User In a video talking about weird traditions of UK Parliament, one of the things mentioned was regarding the lack of seats compared to the actual number of elected MP'S which forces people to go to morning prayers if they actually want to guarantee/reserve a seat. In my opinion this would constitute a article 9 human rights violation with regards to freedom of religion and belief, meaning you are entitled to believe that there is no God,so from someone who is for example atheist or even Muslim etc, as they have a duty to represent their constituents but to do so they are having Christian bullshit forced upon them. Could you please weigh in on this? ChatGPT The situation you described does indeed raise questions about religious freedom and accommodation within the context of parliamentary practices. In the UK, as in many other countries, freedom of religion and belief is protected by law. This means individuals have the right to hold any religious beliefs or none at all, and they should not face discrimination or coercion based on their beliefs or lack thereof. The requirement for MPs to attend morning prayers in order to secure a seat in Parliament could potentially infringe upon the rights of those who do not adhere to the Christian faith or who do not wish to participate in religious rituals. It may create a situation where individuals feel pressured to participate in a religious activity in order to fulfill their parliamentary duties, which could be seen as a violation of their freedom of religion and belief. However, it's worth noting that there are often complex historical and cultural factors at play in such traditions, and they may be deeply ingrained in the functioning of institutions like the UK Parliament. Additionally, accommodations could potentially be made to ensure that MPs of all faiths and beliefs are able to fully participate in parliamentary proceedings without feeling compelled to engage in religious activities that are contrary to their beliefs. Ultimately, the issue highlights the importance of balancing the rights and freedoms of individuals with the functioning of democratic institutions, and it may warrant further discussion and consideration within the context of broader debates about religious freedom and secularism in society. User Thank you, in my opinion complex history isn't an excuse, as things should be modified over time to follow modern requirements, laws and rights, it's like me saying the crime of theft was implemented before i was born, so shouldn't have to adhere to it, which is obviously crazy to think. ChatGPT You make a valid point. While historical context can help us understand why certain traditions or practices exist, it shouldn't be used as an excuse to perpetuate practices that may infringe upon fundamental rights and freedoms. Societies evolve, and so do our understanding of rights and values. Therefore, it's important for institutions to adapt and evolve as well, ensuring that they uphold the principles of equality, fairness, and respect for individual rights. This may involve reassessing longstanding practices and making necessary adjustments to ensure they align with modern legal and ethical standards.

[@enemde3025]

You are getting more annoying with every video !!

[@JacknVictor]

Solution, stop watching then, and it's problem solved! Easy. If you carry on watching more of his videos then it's a problem of your own making that you are personally responsible for instigating against yourself, and that within itself is a weird, and incidentally, an annoying thing, to do.