Parliamentary meetings can go two ways…

As an observer, one is either fortunate to attend a committee meeting where Members of Parliament are thoroughly prepared and willing to respectfully engage with one another on matters, but other meetings fail to grasp your interest from inception and the free snacks provided by Parliament may become the highlight of your visit. Prior to attending Parliament, I presumed that the institution was void of any sort comradeship amongst members from differing political parties. Although one does experience tension and a butting of opinions during committee meetings, there is an air of respect and lighthearted humour that typically accompanies many of the meetings I have attended.