In the 17th century in England parliaments had wonderful descriptive names, the Long and the Short parliaments the Rump and Barebones parliaments come quickly to mind.
It was a time when the English fought not-so civil wars where old enmities met new prejudices and a few very brave people dreamed of a true commonwealth.
Now fast forward to this week and the 43rd Australian parliament which met for the first time and what did our well paid pollies and journos come up with the “a new paradigm”; hardly a phrase designed to set future generations of historians hearts and minds on fire … boring.
Ok so it wasn’t as boring as the member for Lyne Rob Oakeshott’s speech which gave life to the parliament but it was boring non the less.
So what would inspire or raise a smile on a historian’s face? The frustrated parliament, the forceful parliament, “we will hold them to account” … yawn … or the Oh my God, I’m nodding off parliament?
After very little thought I rather fancy the thin parliament. Thin (adjective) shallow or narrow, sparse, watery, lightweight, unconvincing, weak and lacking in contrast; I think thin will suffice quite nicely for the time.
All ideas welcome.
