| Parliament’s presiding officer
David Steel this week called for a blackout of camera coverage of the debating
chamber’s public gallery. The move comes after TV viewers reeled in horror as
protestors in the public gallery were filmed protesting about something. Contacted
for comment, the editor of the JT said: "Actually, the profound daftness of
Steel’s line of argument needs no further embellishment from me, but bugger it, why
not?"
It is thought that Mr Steel feels that TV coverage of punters noising up the
parliament detracts from the solemn dignity of the parliamentary proceedings.
He told the JT: "The proper role for members of the public is to pay for us
to show off in front of the cameras. Amateurs showing off because they’ve spotted a
camera lens detracts attention from us professional showoffs." |
Mr Steel, until now, not renowned
for his thespian leanings, seems to be implying that it's OK for MSPs to be filmed talking
bollocks as long as the incredulous reaction of the punters is denied similar coverage. Following
Mr Steel’s line of reasoning to its own tortured and mangled conclusion, it is likely
that in future all that rhetoric about open and transparent government will go out the
window.
Instead in the future, a record of the parliament’s daily proceedings
inscribed on antique vellum will be read out to the waiting crowds outside who, as one,
will shout "Huzzah!" and give grateful thanks to the Lord for the benefices of
wise government, before returning grateful, if none the wiser, to their poor but honest
hovels. |
