Normally, it's maverick backbenchers like Dennis Skinner or the former MP Tam Dalyell who get themselves thrown out of the Commons.
Not front benchers like the Liberal Democrats' normally mild-mannered foreign affairs spokesman, Harry Enfield lookalike Ed Davey. But this was no spontaneous rush of blood by a hothead.
Ed denied it when I spoke to him afterwards. ("It's not my style," he told me.) But this looked very much like a pre-meditated stunt. It worked, though. I'm one of dozens of political correspondents writing about it now.
While the Labour and Conservative benches were all but empty at the start of the continuing debate on the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, just about every Lib Dem MP was in the chamber. And making a lot of noise.
Their protest was over Speaker Michael Martin's refusal to allow a debate and a vote on a Lib Dem amendment demanding a referendum "on the UK's continuing membership of the EU" once the Lisbon Treaty has come into force.
And - or so it appeared to me - Ed Davey did his very best to get himself thrown out.
The sheepish Sir Michael Lord, the Deputy Speaker in the chair during the Lib Dem-orchestrated mayhem, looked as if he desperately wanted to avoid giving Ed his 10 minutes of fame. (We can now lengthen the odds on Sir Michael succeeding the under-pressure "Gorbals Mick" as Speaker after this rather feeble performance.)
Red cards in the Commons in recent years have gone to a Scots Nat, Annabelle Ewing, for calling Geoff Hoon a "back-stabbing coward" (no sniggering, please), Plaid Cymru's Adam Price for accusing Tony Blair of misleading MPs over the Iraq war and - bizarrely - the normally impeccably behaved Tory MP Henry Bellingham for brandishing a digital camera phone.
The most recent was the firebrand Respect MP George Galloway in July last year.
Jeremy Brevitt, of the House of Commons Media and Communications Service, has very kindly sent me the Commons Library's official red card "league of shame" for 1992-2007.
Winner by a mile, with three dismissals - in 1992, 1995 and 2005 - was Dennis Skinner, "the Beast of Bolsover".
As for first timer Ed Davey, he was banned from the Palace of Westminster for just the rest of the day. Hardly a tough punishment. And worth the publicity, I'd say.
The libs lost their way when Vince Cable stood down, he to my mind was probably the best man for the leadership. Pulling stunts might get you headlines but dosen't enhance the parties outlook.
Posted by: waine uk 28 Feb 2008 10:35:43
This ridiculous stunt has just made the LibDems look like clowns! Ed Davey should perhaps go to drama school before trying a stunt like that again!
Posted by: Chris Gudgin 28 Feb 2008 04:52:24
Whilst I'd like a vote on EU-membership, I am glad this move has failed. The more the politicos deny England's basic democratic rights, the sooner England can unshackle itself from the parasites who call themselves European.
We are not Europeans. We fled the dictators of Europe and looked to the world. We are not part of continental Europe (check you geology): WE ARE PART OF THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY!
Posted by: Fluffy, London, England 27 Feb 2008 11:02:35
I watched this part of last nights debate; I also felt that this was a stunt. The Lib Dems, like Labour and the Conservatives are confirmed Europhiles. This situation was contrived to mis-direct the public. The Lib Dems hope to confuse the public into voting for them on a anti-europe ticket. Any referendum on the Lib Dem basis would require a yes campaign by the establishment parties.
Well, they are not confusing me - its UK Independence Party all the way. I hope that others will see through this cynical manipulation of the democratic process.
Posted by: Alan Baugh, Norfolk 27 Feb 2008 07:11:04
What a cunning stunt.
Pity they all dont walk out evey wek when the Prime Minister fails to answer legitimate questions.
Posted by: Robin Hunter, Sutton, UK 27 Feb 2008 03:47:36
A show down about the EU
And all the Tories were hiding behind the curtains
How pathetic and shameful.
I expect Cameron to comment on this story in 4 weeks time, afterall it took him that long before giving us his position on the Archbishop of Canterbury's remarks on Sharia law. And to think he calls Brown a ditherer
Posted by: James C 27 Feb 2008 00:49:19
Credit were its due & its definitely due here!
So! Well done & well said!
I don’t care whether or not it was a stunt, at least someone’s making some noise as we are given away to the EU!
Posted by: T. England 26 Feb 2008 20:51:56
So underfire Mr Martin backs the government by blocking debate, is this the same Mr Martin who was strongly defended by the top cabinet members can I smell a dead rat?or does the phrase quid pro quo apply, some machiavellian people may ask could the same supporters have engineered the whole speakers expence scandall to bring him on their side of the femce ?
Posted by: George Barrow Lancashire 26 Feb 2008 19:07:23
Jon,
I think anybody calling Hoon anything, other that honest and competent, should be congratulated not red carded!
Posted by: Merv. Beszant, Dubai 26 Feb 2008 18:58:47
Well worth the Publicity, publicity that once again brings to the fore the fact that Labour/Socialists don't do referendums, they dictate the result.
As seen with the Regional Assembly Referendum, have one lose it ignore it.
The quicker Labour are ousted by force if necessary the better for what's left of the Country!
Posted by: Mentor - Northumberland 26 Feb 2008 18:15:06
What else did he expect if the [Heads High]? a trip to see [Mr Vegas]?????
Posted by: Khalid 26 Feb 2008 18:14:12