They threw him out of Parliament. You can sanction too.
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High drama in the House of Commons as Member of Parliament expelled for the day.
During an intense debate about Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan on Monday, the Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle walked up and grabbed the ceremonial mace. This ornate five-foot staff represents royal authority. Without it, the House of Commons can’t meet or pass laws. The Speaker of the House promptly ordered Russell-Moyle to leave the chambers.
The MP subsequently explained that he wished show that the Prime Minister, by delaying the vote on her plan, was abandoning the principle that her authority rests on the members of parliament and their constituents. Read his statement, “I’m proud I grabbed the parliamentary mace,” here.
Whether you buy his argument or not, the action he took violated the rituals and norms that govern the House of Commons. Under basic principles of parliamentary procedure, a governing body has the right to enforce its rules and require decorum. If a member breaks those rules, the body has the right to sanction.
Like the House of Commons, you too may sanction
This means that if you have a city council member or board director who uses abusive language, or refuses to wait their turn to speak, or otherwise breaks your rules, you can do something about it.
It’s best to try to educate the troublemaker first. Have a conversation outside of the meeting (remembering to follow your state’s open meetings law as applicable). See if you can help the individual recognize the harm that the actions are causing.
It’s also best if you have specific rules of procedure or bylaws that define unacceptable behavior, and what the consequences might be. But even if you don’t have such provisions in your governing documents, Robert’s Rules of Order gives you that authority.
What kind of sanction?
Sanctions could include admonishment, reprimand, written censure (read more about censure here), being removed from committees, or being ordered to leave the meeting. (In general, you can’t order someone removed from future meetings.) If you have to undertake a formal disciplinary process, you will want to read Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 11th edition, chapter XX, Disciplinary Procedures.
In any case, consult your attorney about the options! It’s important not to undertake sanctions lightly. It’s also important not to allow an unruly member to wreck your meetings. If you have such a member, take steps and take control, in order to allow your body to carry out its work and fulfill its obligations to your community.
Anne, great tie-in to a current event. What you didn’t say is what then happened with the Mace out of the “House.” Could they continue their debate or did that effectively call the “previous question” without a 2/3 vote? Jim Lohr CPP, Ames, Iowa jlohr10@mchsi.com
Jim, the Mace never left the House, but was taken back and restored to its position, and debate continued once the MP had left. Thanks for writing!
Ann;
a) I am very supportive of a policy of requiring boardmembers and legislators once a year review a code of conduct and be well aware of where the line is. Ditto as practicable public commentators.
b) As an American who is a deep admirer of Heather “Newsbrooke” Brooke and her efforts to democratize British parliamentary democracy to our standards; I salute/hat-tip the very Honourable MP Russell-Moyle for taking the law into his own hands. I hope others closer to home – like individual Sound Transit Boardmembers & as some Seattle City Councilmembers have done (e.g. Councilmembers Juraez, Bagshaw and obviouzly Gonzalez) – will take heed and enforce rules of decorum & decency like during public comment without having to take the extreme action MP Russell-Moyle did.
Joe
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Joe!