0000000000969439
AUTHOR
Stéphane Revillet
The representation of ideologies during parliamentary debates
International audience; The representation of ideologies during parliamentary debates This paper examines the representation of (neo-)liberalism and socialism as ideologies during parliamentary debates in the House of Commons since John Major. First of all, an overview of the different ways those two doctrinal concepts are represented will provide an insight in the strategies adopted by the parliamentary groups. It ranges from the sheer and overt promotion of one's ideology at the Dispatch Box to the violent attacks against one's opponent's ideologies, thereby defining one's own through this opposition. (neo-)Liberalism and socialism will be alternaltively railed against by one party and pr…
The Conservatives’ representation of Socialism and Liberalism during parliamentary debates since the 90s.
International audience; The Conservatives’ representation of Liberalism through the mirror image of Socialism (in parliamentary discourse)This paper aims to analyse the way the Conservatives have represented socialism and liberalism in the Westminster parliamentary debates since John Major (especially during Prime Minister’s Question Time).Since Margaret Thatcher’s adoption of neo-liberal policies the conservative MPs and leaders have relentlessly depicted socialism as a threat to the country, both from an economic and social perspective. In their view, socialism is the arch-enemy to fight aginst, it is associated with regimes that would kill democracy and freedom in the UK. Its principles …
The symbolic representation of Europe from the Conservatives' point of view
International audience; The symbolic representation of Europe from the Conservatives’ point of view“Parliament matters” Norton once wrote. It does indeed, parliamentary debates involve agenda-setting, opinion-building, decision-making affecting the political, social and cultural spheres of the country. The confrontational nature of those debates is the opportunity for parties and leaders to impose their views by persuading the public that their policy on big issues is the most efficient. Europe has been one of those significant issue ; landmark events in the construction of Europe have been passionately and lengthily discussed in Parliament : the Maastricht Treaty, the single currency, the …
The leaders' place in the Westminster system
International audience; This paper aims at examining to what extent breaking the rules constitutes a strategy for leaders to “find their place” in the Westminster system during parliamentary debates and more specifically during PMQs. In the context of Westminster politics, place can be understood in several ways. Place can be undertsood in its dialectical relationship between the physical and political dimension with parties occupying a specific place in the Commons placing them on the political spectrum from right to left. More interestingly, Westminster in a sort of metonymical process embodies UK’s politics. The leaders of major parties participate in the debates in the House of Commons.…
The Conservatives’ representation of socialism and liberalism during PMQs since the 1990s
The Conservatives’ representation of socialism and liberalism during PMQs since the 90s.Socialism and liberalism are ideologies which, in Michael Freeden’s terms “are not an exact representation of an ideational reality, but a symbolic reconstruction of it”. Drawing on this premise this paper seeks to analyse how and to what end the Conservatives have made a symbol out of (Labour’s) socialism and (the Conservatives’) liberalism through parliamentary discourse (esp. during PMQs). This process of symbolization through specific rhetoric means results in a clear-cut ideological divide between parties offering an (over)simplified view of the political world. However, symbols are fluid and can ev…
Quieter and more civilised but not more accountable
International audience; Pmqs as a tool to hold the government to account has long been dismissed as a counter-productive “Punch and Judy show”. Since the Covid-19 restrictions came into effect in the House of Commons, those sessions have become less crowded and notably quieter. This unprecedented state of affairs have considerably undermined the “tribal effect” typical of parliamentary groups during Pmqs. Additionally the video conferencing technology requires more attention and calm in the house. Consequently, the confrontational quality of the debates has turned into an uncharacterically pacified moment. The number of interruptions and face attacking acts (insults) have been reduced to no…
The strategic use of One Nation as a symbol during PMQs from J. Major to T. May
One Nation, as a conceptual construct which started to develop since the 19th century has often been associated with the Conservative Party’s politics regarding their effort to bridge the gap between “the two nations” (the underprivileged and the well-off members of society) and in the elevation of the condition of the people in the UK (a requisite for social harmony). Most recent conservative Prime Ministers have been eager to present their own version of the One Nation tradition based on their views of the role the state should play (either limited or extended state intervention). David Seawright explains that these conflicting stances are not expressed in a strict polarisation within the…
Strategic positioning within the normative institutional environment of Westminster
International audience; L’espace du débat parlementaire à la Chambre des Communes Cette communication a pour objectif d’explorer les potentialités du cadre normatif dans l’espace des débats parlementaires à la Chambre des Communes à Westminster.Les débats parlementaires à la Chambre des Communes sont régis par des règles et des protocoles stricts. En effet, les membres de la Chambre doivent observer des règles de bonne conduite afin d’éviter tout débordement. Ce cadre institutionnel (et constitutionnel), à première vue très rigide, concerne à la fois les contraintes physiques au sein de la Chambre mais également les contraintes d’ordre discursif. Sandra Harris, en référence à la Chambre de …
L’attaque verbale : norme discursive et culturelle pendant les Prime Minister’s Questions
La culture parlementaire du parlement britannique à Westminster est façonnée par des coutumes, des traditions, des rites et des conventions facilement reconnaissables, notamment lors des questions au Premier ministre (Prime Minister’s Questions ou PMQ). Le débat, en tant qu’activité inhérente au parlement, fait du discours parlementaire une caractéristique de cette culture. La prise de parole des députés, soumise aux règles et aux normes très formelles de la Chambre, sont censées, selon le guide de bonne conduite, Erskine May, refléter les caractéristiques du langage parlementaire telles que « la bonne humeur et la modération » (E. May 2019). De telles règles ne semblent pas superflues au r…