First ties went, now modernisers want to refer to each other by name in the House

FIRST it was removing ties in the House of Commons. Now a crusading MP is campaigning for his colleagues to refer to each other by their names, rather than constituencies, during debates in the chamber.

Buoyed by his success in changing the dress code in the Commons, Tom Brake, a Liberal Democrat MP, has written to the Speaker, John Bercow, proposing more changes.

Mr Brake wants MPS to be able to refer to each other by name during debates, rather than the convention that they are described as the member for their constituency, which can leave observers baffled.

He also wants the Commons to stop providing free snuff to MPS – a supply is maintained in a small, engraved silver box by the doorkeepers in the members’ lobby.

The snuff supply, which is paid for personally by the Principal Doorkeeper, is still used regularly by MPS.

He said: “The mystery surrounding parliamentary process and procedures must be lifted.

“To avoid becoming the ancestor of all parliaments, our parliament needs to move with the times.

“Being able to call Members of Parliament by their names would be a good starting point.”

Mr Brake added: “It is time snuff snuffed it. The House should no longer fund a habit which is known to cause mouth cancer and gum disease.

“Tradition is a fine thing, but not when it has such a clear negative health impact.”

Mr Brake’s attempts to modernise the Commons met with success last week when Mr Bercow allowed him to remove his tie in the chamber.

But his latest plan to drag Parliament into the 21st century received short shrift yesterday from other members.

One minister, who regularly takes snuff, told The Daily Telegraph: “I find the odd pinch helps me to cope with the turgidity of the leader of the opposition’s statements.”

Sam Gyimah, a justice minister, became the first member of the Government to sit on the front bench without wearing a tie this week – although he admitted his wife Nicky told him he looked “sloppy”. He said using names in the chamber was a step too far.