Comments on: The Pugin Room

By: Nigel Fletcher

Nigel Fletcher — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:16:09 +0000

I always thought it was open to both Houses already – thanks for putting me straight on that! What a fascinating dispute. I always enjoyed the demarcation in the old Lord’s Bar (before the refit) when they refused to allow the Commons annunciator to be left on, and tuned it to sport or news instead.

By: lordnorton

lordnorton — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:35:45 +0000

Stephenpaterson: I was rather thinking of table-tennis, since we have some rather good players!

Lee-Ann Parizeau Pugin: Thanks for your further comments. The family connection is fascinating. I call it a tea room for shorthand: it is always referred to as the Pugin Room.

Senex: I cannot speak for the MPs, but we msy turn a little red when we see some of the Bills coming our way. Given that the red stems from the royal connection, it is perhaps ironic that the carpet on which the Queen walks is blue.

By: Senex

Senex — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:10:22 +0000

Lord Norton: Do MP’s turn green with envy when they think of the other place? Do peers turn red with rage when bills have to be repeatedly sent back to the Commons for rework?

From the link below:

“It probably stems from the use by kings of red as a royal colour and its consequent employment in the room where the King met his court and nobles. The use by the Commons of green is much less easy to explain.”

Ref: Factsheet G10: House of Commons Green
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/G10.pdf

By: Lee-AnnParizeauPugin

Lee-AnnParizeauPugin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:20:30 +0000

This is an excellent idea.I do think that
Pugin should be recognize even in the Palace of Westminster for the work that he did. He did so much for his Contry. I woul kike to
let you know that my spouse grandfather
Peter Paul Pugin and Edward who was the sons of Pugin they also work at the Palace of
Wesminster to finish the work after Pugin died. I will also tell you that I would not
call that Room a Tea Roomm considering the
size of the Room, it is spacious. I have a
large collection of books on Pugin’s work an
I did saw the size of the Room.
Have a lovely day.

By: lordtyler

lordtyler — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:17:17 +0000

As a former MP, I am allowed to use any of the refreshment facilities of the Commons, including not only the Pugin Room but even the sacrosanct Members’ Tea Room. However, I have to confess I wouldn’t dare go to the latter unless invited in. Equally, I would be happy entertain any colleague from the Lords in the Pugin Room who feels the need to lay claim to that bit of red carpet. Meanwhile, I can assure other readers that I too think it’s all rather daft!

By: stephenpaterson

stephenpaterson — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:56:11 +0000

I’m pleased you like the idea. I was thinking of golf or chess for some reason.

Chess would be interesting as there’s no end of amateur chess analysts who’d love to pour over the games of the (relatively) famous. Plus it doesn’t require much organising,can be fit easily into people’s timetables, and you don’t get wet if it rains.

I thought it might work best if there was a member of each House passionate about a particular charity (possible Baroness Murphy in the Lords with the Alzheimer’s Society, unsure as yet re the Commons) to get teams fired up behind the scenes.

You might even put an Honours Board on a wall of the Pugin Room showing whose team, captained by whom, won each year. As to what might be a novel idea for a trophy, sounds like a good idea for a quiz.

By: lordnorton

lordnorton — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:26:44 +0000

stephenpaterson: What an excellent suggestion. There are some annual Lords versus Commons sporting events, not least the annual tug-of-war in aid of charity. As you suggest, perhaps we could have one of the events with the winner having the right to use the Pugin Room (and, if it is a draw, both Houses could use it). I must check which of the sporting events the Lords usually wins!

Lee-Ann Parizeau Pugin: Thanks for your comment. I think the fact that the room was designed by Pugin for use by the Lords adds to our case.

CMetcalfe: I doubt if it will go beyond an exchange of letters. If it had become a legal dispute, it would have been interesting to see what would happen if it had gone all the way to the law lords – who arguably (at least until this October) could be argued to have had a vested interest!

By: CMetcalfe

CMetcalfe — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:14:05 +0000

Another great blog post from Lord Norton. Are we likely to see this boundary dispute in the High Court? Just don’t plant any Leylandii!

By: Lee-AnnParizeauPugin

Lee-AnnParizeauPugin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 03:19:53 +0000

To whom it may concern,
Dont’you think it’s discrimanation?
My spouse is the great grandchild of
Augustus Welby N. Pugin. We are relatives
from Canada. Why shouldnt’ be used by the
“Lords”.

By: stephenpaterson

stephenpaterson — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:48:17 +0000

How delightful! This really must present opportunities with a little lateral thinking! How about offering the Foreign Office a chance to build relationships with some appropriate nation by inviting its diplomats to come and mediate? I’m sure they’d be honoured and it could be quite fun!

Or maybe some kind of sponsored contest between Lords and Commons in aid of Save the Children or another good cause, winners to get the Pugin Room? Could even make it an annual event?

I’m sure with enough thought and goodwill, something good can come out of it.