To Cromwell the Rump was a monstrosity. A bastion of selfishness and greed. More like Sodom than Jerusalem. Simon Schama, A History of Britain: Revolutions, BBC 2000
For the cost of all those endless marches, and mile upon mile of castle walls, was political as well as financial. It meant that Parliament was more not less necessary to the government of England. It was Parliament which had to agree on how to foot the bills, and how big those bills ought to be. Simon Schama, A History of Britain: Nations
He invoked his royal power to dispense the law in favour of both Catholics and non-Anglican Protestants ... The House of Commons, with its hardline Anglican majority, refused the King point blank. Monarchy by David Starkey s3e1: The Return of the King, Channel 4 2006
The elected returned parliaments in 1679 and again in 1680 in which there was a clear majority for James’s exclusion. Charles would have to fight for his brother’s right to the throne. And with it for the very idea of hereditary monarchy itself ... Faced with two successive parliaments in which there had been a clear majority for the exclusion from the crown of his brother James, Charles dissolved them both. ibid.
On the one side were the Whigs who believed in religious tolerance and a monarchy that finally answered to the people ... On the other side were the Tories, originally an abusive term for Irish cattle thieves, who were sympathetic to James’ right to succeed his brother. They believed the authority of monarchy came directly from God. ibid.
The Church of England now condemned all the doctrines of Whigism as false, seditious and impious, and declared most of them heretical and blasphemous as well. ibid.
When the rules were announced for a competition to rebuild the Palace of Westminster after the fire of 1854 it was specified that the design must be in the Gothic of Elizabethan style. Monarchy by David Starkey s3e5: Survival
Finally in April 1653 Cromwell lost patience. Forewarned of a parliamentary plot to relieve him of his command of the Army Cromwell prepared for the parliamentary debate on the issue by placing thirty of his trusted musketeers in the lobby of the House. Jeremy Black, The English Civil War IV: The Shadow of the Scaffold
A new parliament was elected. And their first Act was to invite Prince Charles back from the low countries to rule as Charles II. ibid.
I see all the birds are flown. Charles I, House of Commons 4th January 1642
Remember that parliaments are altogether in my power for their calling, sitting and dissolution. Charles I, 1626 address to Lords and Commons
If the remonstrance had been rejected I would have sold all I had the next morning and never have seen England more, and I know there are many other modest men of the same resolution. Oliver Cromwell, on passing of Grand Remonstrance listing Parliament’s grievances against Charles I, cited Edward Hyde
We study the glory of God, and the honour and liberty of parliament, for which we unanimously fight, without seeking our own interests ... I profess I could never satisfy myself on the justness of this war, but from the authority of the parliament to maintain itself in its rights; and in this cause I hope to prove myself an honest man and single-hearted. Oliver Cromwell, September 1644
There are some things in this establishment that are fundamental ... about which I shall deal plainly with you ... The government by a single person and a parliament is a fundamental ... and ... though I may seem to plead for myself, yet I do not: no, nor can any reasonable man say it ... I plead for this nation, and all the honest men therein. Oliver Cromwell, to First Protectorate Parliament 12 September 1654
We declared our intentions to preserve monarchy, and they still are so, unless necessity enforce an alteration. It’s granted the king has broken his trust, yet you are fearful to declare you will make no further addresses ... look on the people you represent, and break not your trust, and expose not the honest party of your kingdom, who have bled for you, and suffer not misery to fall upon them for want of courage and resolution in you, else the honest people may take such courses as nature dictates to them. Oliver Cromwell, speech House of Commons January 1648
You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately ... Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go! Oliver Cromwell, to Parliament 1653
I desire not to keep my place in this government an hour longer than I may preserve England in its just rights, and may protect the people of God in such a just liberty of their consciences. Oliver Cromwell
To the horror of Charles I parliament began to make assertions and pushing for a series of measures that challenged the authority of the king and the established church. But Charles wouldn’t back down. Great Britons: Cromwell, BBC 2002
The only safe pleasure for a parliamentarian is a bag of boiled sweets. Julian Critchley, Listener 10th June 1982
I have neither eye to see, nor tongue to speak here, but as the House is pleased to direct me. William Lenthall, speaker House of Commons, asked by Charles I if he had seen any of five wanted MPs
Parliament itself would not exist in its present form had people not defied the law. Arthur Scargill, 1980
The way out of parliamentarism is to be found, of course, not in the abolition of the representative institutions and the elective principle, but in the conversion of the representative institutions from mere ‘talking shops’ into working bodies. Vladimir Lenin
The oppressed are allowed once every few years to decide which particular representatives of the oppressing class are to represent and repress them in parliament. Vladimir Lenin
All those men have their price. Robert Walpole, re fellow parliamentarians
The duty of an Opposition [is] very simple ... to oppose everything, and propose nothing. Lord Derby, House of Commons, 1841
We would prefer to see the House run by a philistine with the requisite financial acumen than by a succession of opera and ballet lovers who have brought a great and valuable institution to its knees. Gerald Kaufman, 1997
Being an MP feeds your vanity and starves your self-respect. Matthew Parris, cited The Times 9th February 1994
The Houses of Parliament: this was the job that made Pugin’s name. He got it as a result of the old Palace of Westminster burning down in 1834 ... Pugin wanted to build something that would match Westminster Abbey next door. Fred Dibnah’s Building of Britain s1e5: Victorian Splendour, BBC 2002
Building began in 1837 and the Barry-Pugin partnership was right for the job. Pugin looked after the detail of the design. ibid.
And that is the wavering commons; for their love
Lies in their purses, and whoso empties them.
By so much fills their heart with deadly hate. William Shakespeare, Richard II II ii 129-130, Bagot to Bushy and Green
Members of Parliament: 29 have been accused of spouse abuse; 7 have been arrested for fraud; 9 have been accused of writing bad cheques; 17 have directly or indirectly gone bankrupt at least twice; 3 have done time for assault; 71 cannot get a credit card; 14 have been arrested on drug-related charges; 8 have been arrested for shop-lifting; 21 are currently defendants in lawsuits; 84 have been arrested for drink-driving in the last year. Andy Thomas, lecture Alternative View II, citing unattributed internet figures
Knight says that the Palace of Westminster – home to the British Parliament – is used as a meeting place for at least two Masonic lodges. One of these lodges is called the New Welcome Masonic Lodge, which regularly hosts blood-curdling rituals and ceremonies inside the Palace of Westminster. Members of Parliament from all political parties gather together wearing white gloves, sashes, lambskin aprons and wielding ceremonial daggers, swearing blood-thirsty oaths of allegiance to each other. Chris Everard, Illuminati vol I
The Queen ... must sign her own death warrant if the two Houses unanimously send it up to her. Walter Bagehot, The English Constitution, 1867
A parliament is nothing less than a big meeting of more or less idle people. Walter Bagehot
August 2005: The Serious Organised Crime & Police Act banned protest outside Parliament without permission. Taking Liberties, 2007
Feather-bedding, pocket-lining, money-grabbing cronies. William Hague