Robert Wilson, former Principal Clerk of Select Committees of the House of Commons
gave a lecture on
“Symbolism and Ritual in the British Parliament”
On Tue March 15th, 2011
With the aid of paintings, lithographs an photographs of Westminster building, in part taken by the Official Pitkin Guidebook “The Houses of Parliament” which he authored, he talked about origins and development of the British Parliament.
He highlighted the importance of rituals and how some of them find their origins at the time of the Saxon Kings and are still in use today.
A lively Q and A session followed the lecture. The students, reflecting their multicultural backgrounds, were particularly interested in how British traditions and rituals affected contemporary parliaments of their own countries, especially former British colonies. The students also showed a particular interest in the extent to which traditions, rituals and symbols are affected by technological progress.
Robert Wilson OBE was Principal Clerk of Select Committees in the House of Commons until October 2010.He joined the service of the Commons in the late 1960's and has filled several senior roles in the House Administration including the Head of the Overseas Office. His final post included advice to the Chairmen of Select Committees and the Speaker, on strengthening in scrutiny of government and promoting the role of Parliament to the public. He has also studied the decoration of the Palace of Westminster and is the author of the Official Pitkin Guidebook.
With the aid of paintings, lithographs an photographs of Westminster building, in part taken by the Official Pitkin Guidebook “The Houses of Parliament” which he authored, he talked about origins and development of the British Parliament.
He highlighted the importance of rituals and how some of them find their origins at the time of the Saxon Kings and are still in use today.
A lively Q and A session followed the lecture. The students, reflecting their multicultural backgrounds, were particularly interested in how British traditions and rituals affected contemporary parliaments of their own countries, especially former British colonies. The students also showed a particular interest in the extent to which traditions, rituals and symbols are affected by technological progress.
Robert Wilson OBE was Principal Clerk of Select Committees in the House of Commons until October 2010.He joined the service of the Commons in the late 1960's and has filled several senior roles in the House Administration including the Head of the Overseas Office. His final post included advice to the Chairmen of Select Committees and the Speaker, on strengthening in scrutiny of government and promoting the role of Parliament to the public. He has also studied the decoration of the Palace of Westminster and is the author of the Official Pitkin Guidebook.
