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One thought on “Standing Orders”
Interesting to see this – and I’d like to know more about the background and the work you are doing. I’ve recently been working on redrafting the SOs for Belize which has made me think more about the HoC ones and their purpose/origins. I think there is often a misunderstanding that the SOs amount to a Parliamentary rule book, when, of course, they are only a small part of that. I only realised shamefully late in my career that they arose (I think) as exceptions to general principles (eg decisions are made by a majority, debate can go on for ever …). Most Parliaments’ SOs are fairly incomprehensible and in need of updating, but revising them is fraught with potential unintended consequences.
Interesting to see this – and I’d like to know more about the background and the work you are doing. I’ve recently been working on redrafting the SOs for Belize which has made me think more about the HoC ones and their purpose/origins. I think there is often a misunderstanding that the SOs amount to a Parliamentary rule book, when, of course, they are only a small part of that. I only realised shamefully late in my career that they arose (I think) as exceptions to general principles (eg decisions are made by a majority, debate can go on for ever …). Most Parliaments’ SOs are fairly incomprehensible and in need of updating, but revising them is fraught with potential unintended consequences.