Strangers Gallery
Encyclopedia
The Strangers' Gallery is set aside for members of the public at the British House of Commons
, and is intended for both invited and uninvited members of the public to watch the proceedings of the House. A similar gallery exists in the House of Lords
. Members of the public may obtain tickets from their Member of Parliament
. It is possible to queue outside St Stephen's Tower and be admitted to the gallery without booking, especially on Fridays, however during popular debates it will be nearly impossible to obtain a place without booking. The name refers to the traditional use of the term strangers
to refer to those present in Parliament that are neither members nor staff.
The gallery of the House of Commons is located on a level above the floor of the Commons chamber and looks down on it. There is a glass screen at the front of the gallery to prevent the throwing of objects into the chamber.
MPs
are not permitted to look at or acknowledge the presence of anybody in the gallery.
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
, and is intended for both invited and uninvited members of the public to watch the proceedings of the House. A similar gallery exists in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. Members of the public may obtain tickets from their Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
. It is possible to queue outside St Stephen's Tower and be admitted to the gallery without booking, especially on Fridays, however during popular debates it will be nearly impossible to obtain a place without booking. The name refers to the traditional use of the term strangers
Strangers (Parliament of the United Kingdom)
The term stranger is the traditional way of referring to someone physically present in the Palace of Westminster who is neither a member of parliament nor a parliamentary official...
to refer to those present in Parliament that are neither members nor staff.
The gallery of the House of Commons is located on a level above the floor of the Commons chamber and looks down on it. There is a glass screen at the front of the gallery to prevent the throwing of objects into the chamber.
MPs
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
are not permitted to look at or acknowledge the presence of anybody in the gallery.