Intimidation, intimidation!

As I read the morning papers my hands were shivering in fear. The word intimidation seems to be everywhere and jumping out from the pages. But who is intimidating who? This one I no able to figure out. In Parliament, everyone is so clever and it is really very hard to tell what they said and what they meant. And of course there is no intimidation in our first world Parliament. No chairs or punches were thrown, so we are one class above those gangster infested parliaments. Sure no see blood.

While I am still very hazy about the ongoings and recovering from the shock, I still think it may be a good idea for MPs on the wrong side of the power equation to exercise extreme care when asking questions in Parliament. Asking questions they must, but there are certain special nuances and skills required to be able to ask questions safely and successfully.

For one, include a prologue to the questions. Use a template as it can be used in all circumstances, by all MPs, before a question is asked. The things to say shall include ‘I am not casting any aspersion against anyone or any institution. I have full confidence in the integrity of the institution and its officers and have not the slightest doubt that they will be dishonest or bad or abuse their positions in anyway in the conduct of their duties. I have faith that these are people of great repute and infallible to temptations of all kinds. I have no motive in asking this question and it is done in good faith.’ I think this should be safe enough.

Only after saying this, like swearing on oath, should one proceed to ask question. Oh, before that, take care in phrasing the question carefully to make sure that it is free from any innuendoes or insinuations, or intimidations as they can be easily smelt out by the experts. After asking the question, just sit down and listen. Whatever the answer, just accept it as good and end of the story. And give oneself a pat on the back that one has done a good job, in asking questions in Parliament.

Then there will be a happy ending and no need to sweat under the threat of assumed intimidation. Our Parliament is a first world parliament and proper conduct with correct decorum will get one a long way. It can also be very gracious and enlightening in the company of great and talented politicians, some could even pass off as immortals.

Have a nice day.