Why do people say aye instead of yes?

The word aye (/aɪ/), as a synonym for yes in response to a question, dates to the 1570s and, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, is of unknown origin; it may derive as a variation of the word I (in the context of “I assent”); as an alteration of the Middle English yai (“yes”), or from the adverb aye (meaning …

How do you say yes in Parliament?

The presiding officer or chair of the assembly will put the question to the assembly, asking first for all those in favor of the motion to indicate so orally (“aye” or “yea”), and then ask second all those opposed to the motion to indicate so verbally (“no” or “nay”).

What does eyes to the right mean in Parliament?

After all members have voted in the lobbies, the vote totals are written on a card and the numbers are read out to the House by one of the tellers of the winning side announcing as follows; “The Ayes to the right: (number of votes), The Noes to the left: (number of votes).

What does right Honourable mean UK?

The Right Honourable (sometimes written as The Rt Hon., The Rt Hon or The Rt. Hon.) is a prefix which shows honour. It is given to certain people, for example some MP’s, in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Anglophone Caribbean and other places which are members of the Commonwealth.

What is the meaning of II sir?

Filters. (idiomatic, nautical) The correct and seamanlike reply, onboard a Royal Navy (U.S. Navy) ship, on receipt of an order from an officer. It means “I understand the command and hasten to comply with the order.” phrase.

What do Pres and NV mean?

The fourth column (Pres.) has the number of Members who voted ‘present’ and did not vote yes or no. The fifth column (NV) has the number of Members of the House who did not vote.

How do members of parliament address each other?

In the House of Commons, members are not permitted to address each other directly or name other members, but must instead address the Speaker and refer to each other indirectly by their job. A non-Privy Council member is thus “my hon. Member/Gentleman/Lady (the member for constituency)” otherwise.

Why do British MPs stand up?

MPs who are not selected may be chosen to ask a supplementary question if they “catch the eye” of the Speaker, which is done by standing and sitting immediately before the prime minister gives an answer.

Why is Parliament called this place?

The reasons for the tradition are unclear, but it has been suggested that it dates back to a period of ill-feeling between the two houses of the UK Parliament. Similarly a member talking of their own house would refer to it as “this place”.

Can the general public sit on the House of Commons?

During normal sittings of the House, any Member of the Lords may sit on it. The general public is allowed into those parts of the House of Commons not exclusively for the use of Members.

Where do spokespersons sit on the House of Commons?

Official Opposition spokespersons use the front bench to the Speaker’s left. Minority or smaller parties sit on the benches below the gangway on the left.

Where do minority parties sit in the Parliament?

Minority or smaller parties sit on the benches below the gangway on the left. There is nothing sacrosanct about these places and on occasions when a Member has deliberately chosen to occupy a place on the front bench or on the opposite side of the House from their usual position there is no redress for such action.

Do MPs speak to each other in the House of Lords?

Instead, MPs direct their points to the Commons Speaker and peers speak to the House of Lords as a whole. Most MPs are referred to as “the Honourable Member for…”