The Atrium, Portcullis House
I returned to Westminster yesterday afternoon, in part to attend a reception in the House last night (for Hull University alumni) and today to get on with some paperwork, in between marking dissertations that is. It is notable how much more activity there is this week compared to last. This morning, the Atrium in Portcullis House wasn’t quite as busy as it is on a Friday when the House is sitting, but I was surprised by how busy it was. The activity was complemented by the arrival of a large school party.
This morning a van, complete with loudhailer, promoting the English Democrat party went by several times, I presume because there was a fair number of people milling about outside the Palace of Westminster – though how many of them were UK voters is entirely another matter. Shortly after it went by the last time, there was the sound of a siren, but I think the two events were unrelated.
Just how is loud hailing from a moving vehicle an attraction to a party ? I don`t understand !
Maybe they thought I know we`ll go through Westminster, not literally, and maybe someone would complain about us on a blog…Then people will look us up !
I realised that Government was skint but I didn`t realise they were that broke to hold kids parties in the House !
Carl.H: Good point. I didn’t realise the EDP had a cunning plan.
Given the ages of some of the alumni at the reception on Thursday evening, some will appreciate the description.
“Loud hailing from a moving vehicle” is not that original a sight in Westminster… I’ve read some interesting stories from the late nineteenth century of how certain new MPs arrived at New Palace Yard after the election in open coaches, accompanied by live music, and would address the crowd that had assembled there to celebrate. Definitely not the kind of think one would see today, for all sorts of reasons.