"Before the public are allowed to head to the viewing seats above the Commons chamber, they must wait for the Speaker's Procession. This ceremony, which marks the opening of the House of Commons, sees the Commons' doorkeeper, the Serjeant at Arms (with mace in hand), the Speaker, the trainbearer, chaplain and secretary marching slowly through to the Commons chamber. Police line their route and the inspector on duty shouts out "hats off, strangers" as they pass. Yinwen says she was "shocked" by the spectacle."
"The first item of the day is questions to business and trade ministers. The subjects include Brexit, the hospitality industry and employment rights law, but the tone is fairly amicable. Yinwen and Karen stay for about an hour before leaving. On their way out, they chat about the difference between politics in the UK and Taiwan. Karen says it seems to be more peaceful in Westminster."
On a winter morning in central London, a dozen visitors watch MPs from the House of Commons public gallery. A Taiwanese student and her mother attend after a tour date mix-up. The Visitors' Gallery requires no booking and is free after security checks. Visitors wait for the Speaker's Procession, a ceremonial opening featuring the Serjeant at Arms, the Speaker and other officials, with police lining the route. A glass security screen separates spectators from MPs. Questions to business and trade ministers cover Brexit, hospitality and employment rights, and the session's tone remains fairly amicable.
Read at www.bbc.com
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