Hollobone takes on the alphabet
By Tony Grew - 10th February 2011
Maverick Tory MP Philip Hollobone has complained about the way in which MPs vote.
At business questions he raised with Commons leader Sir George Young the way in which members have to queue up in the division lobbies.
They are divided up three groups: A -F, G - M and N - Z.
Hollobone has to "stuggle through" a queue with 245 MP in his queue, while Sir George has only 192 MPs in his N to Z group.
He suggested "promoting" all those MPs with names beginning Mac or Mc to the N to Z group.
Sir George was not taken with the idea. Instead he spoke up for the "minority" at the end of the alphabet.
He mused that as his name starts with Y, he has been at a "serious disadvantage" in every election he has ever fought.
The leader of the House said it was compensation that he goes through the lobbies "slightly faster than he does", an advantage he would be most reluctant to give up.
Geeky fact: there is one MP in this parliament whose name begins with Z and 16 whose name begins with A.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.