Labour MP cautioned for drinking milk in House of Commons

An MP observed consuming milk from a carton within the House of Commons has received a mild reprimand for violating established regulations. Steve Witherden, the recently elected Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, was courteously reminded of the stringent prohibition on food and beverages inside the chamber following his consumption of a dairy product last week. A spokesperson for Mr. Witherden issued a statement, indicating that the MP was “still learning the rules of the chamber” while also asserting that milk constituted “an excellent source of protein.” This incident occurs amidst numerous accounts of errors made by Members of Parliament in Westminster, as the 335 recently elected MPs endeavor to comprehend the chamber’s long-standing regulations. It has been verified that refresher courses on appropriate conduct are being conducted for new MPs, though these are generally organized on a “rolling basis” to ensure adherence to standards. The chamber operates under established conventions governing debate, including the requirement for MPs to obtain permission from the speaker or deputy speaker to participate, and the occasional imposition of time restrictions on addresses. Previously, new MPs have articulated their dissatisfaction with certain traditions, such as “bobbing,” which involves repeatedly and briefly standing from their seats to attract the attention of the Commons speaker to be granted permission to speak. A spokesperson for Mr. Witherden released a statement, saying: “While I am sure like many new MPs he is still learning the rules and won’t be planning on doing it again, he would certainly not be ashamed of supporting British dairy farmers considering how badly they were let down by the last government.” The statement continued: “Milk is an excellent source of protein and calcium and can be a nutritious part of a balanced diet.” Both the Senedd and the Chamber enforce a ban on all food and beverages apart from water, unless required for health reasons, which must be approved before meetings. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Details concerning our policy on external linking are available.