"I was unwarrantably provoked by the singing of The Red Flag. [...] I thought "here is a neo-Marxist group in the House of Commons." Having cheated over the motion, cheated in the lobbies, I thought that in the circumstances they might as well have the mace as well! I rapidly realised this was a reflection on the authority of the Speaker and the House I tried to apologise and will do so unreservedly as soon as I can."
— Michael Heseltine

January 1, 1970

Quote Details

Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Added on April 10, 2026
Unverified quote
0 likes
Members of the Parliament of the United KingdomUniversity of Oxford alumniPoliticians from WalesConservative Party (UK) politiciansAutobiographers from Wales
Original Language: English

Sources

The Ceremonial mace in the House of Commons represents the monarch's authority. Without it being in place, the Commons cannot legitimately meet or pass legislation. The vote (on the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Bill) had passed by a single vote, but was disputed by the opposition on the grounds that pairing arrangements had been compromised by the Labour government. Heseltine was then Shadow Secretary of State for Industry.