Dennis Sewell
Love Nest
Inside The House of Commons
By John Biffen
Grafton 225pp £16.95 & £9.95
The words ‘Now a Major TV Series’ might profitably have been emblazoned across the cover of John Biffen’s new book. Now the cameras are at Westminster and the goings on there are brought to our screens with the frequency that schedulers usually reserve for Coronation Street or Neighbours, those unversed in the esoteric habits of the House of Commons will need a handy crib. Biffen provides just that – a helpful guide to the utility and significance of Private Notice Questions, Ten Minute Rule Bills, Motions for the Adjournment of the House and so on.
The danger is, of course, that this kind of information taken together with television will breed a new type of saloon-bar bore. Every oaf who until now has merely treated one to his own tiresome political opinions, will, after a brief skip through the pages of Biffen, think himself a proper Erskine May.
‘Right cracker of an Application under Standing Order No 20 yesterday, eh Bob?’
‘Dunno Ron, surely he must have known Mr Speaker would never allow the debate?’
‘But that’s precisely the point, old chum, it all rests on the understanding that the debate will never be called. It’s just a procedural device
Sign Up to our newsletter
Receive free articles, highlights from the archive, news, details of prizes, and much more.@Lit_Review
Follow Literary Review on Twitter
Twitter Feed
Are iPhones ruining children's lives? A prominent American psychologist thinks so.
@tiffanyjenkins is not so sure:
Tiffany Jenkins - The Smartphone Pandemic
Tiffany Jenkins: The Smartphone Pandemic - The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an...
literaryreview.co.uk
India's 'festival of democracy', or general election, begins next month. Like every good festival, it looks likely to have its fair share of murders and arrests.
@OwenBennettJon probes the state of democracy in India:
Owen Bennett-Jones - New Delhi Confidential
Owen Bennett-Jones: New Delhi Confidential - The Incarcerations: BK-16 and the Search for Democracy in India by Alpa Shah
literaryreview.co.uk
Where is the world's newest narcostate and why is it thriving?
@AdamBrookesWord investigates Asia's meth mecca.
Adam Brookes - Meth Comes to Myanmar
Adam Brookes: Meth Comes to Myanmar - Narcotopia: In Search of the Asian Drug Cartel That Outwitted the CIA by Patrick Winn
literaryreview.co.uk