Why British MPs need locking up!

QUESTION Why does the Speaker shout ‘Unlock!’ after a Commons vote?

WHEN a vote in Britain’s House of Commons is too close to call, a formal count must take place. This is done using the House division lobbies. The process is controlled by the Speaker, who is currently John Bercow.

When the House was rebuilt following a devastating fire in 1834, division lobbies were built adjacent to the chamber to facilitate voting.

The lobby to the Speaker’s right became the aye lobby; that to his left, the no lobby.

Supporters and opposers of a motion file into the separate lobbies and have their names recorded and numbers counted. When a vote is called, the division bell is sounded and Members of Parliament who are elsewhere make their way to the chamber.

Eight minutes after the question has been put for the first time, the Speaker declares: ‘Lock the doors.’

The lobby entrances are locked and only those within are counted.

This process ensures the vote takes place within a specific time.

After the MPs have voted, the tallies are read out to the House by the senior teller on the winning side. The Speaker then announces these numbers a second time.

Once the vote is over, the Speaker cries ‘Unlock!’ The doorkeepers unlock the division lobbies and House business moves on.

Peter White, London SW6. QUESTION What are the longest odds on a winning horse? FURTHER to the earlier answer, one of the biggest upsets in horse racing history didn’t come from a winning horse.

At the 1989 Epsom Derby, Terimon, the oldest horse in the race, set off at odds of 5001. He came second, the longest odds ever for a place horse.