Petition · past parliament
End the 'tradition' of jeering in the House of Commons.
Rejected
12 signatures
What the petition asks
As John Bercow quite rightly pointed out, the public have a right to expect MPs to conduct themselves like adults rather than out of control schoolchildren. Important issues are raised and we have a right to hear them properly raised and answered.
In 1386 William Shaetyng, the inventor of the Ravens at the Tower of London, introduced the "Hubbub, murmury and generyl maundery Bill" which defined acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in the Houses of Parliament. Shouting, laughing, jeering etc were not only allowed but encouraged, while spitting, whistling and clapping were banned. This may be regarded as "Tradition" but it is not acceptable conduct of so-called "adults" conducting the duties for which the taxpayers are paying them to do.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
Timeline
| 8 Mar 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 Mar 2016 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
12
Status
Rejected
Rejected
20 Mar 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.