A spot of impromptu karaoke from Speaker John Bercow was enough to knock a Bristol MP off her stride.
Thangam Debbonaire was put off when asking a question in Parliament after the Speaker called her name to the tune of Bon Jovi’s ‘Living On A Prayer’ – as per the internet meme doing the rounds on Twitter.
Mr Bercow – who referees proceedings in the House of Commons – hinted that he had seen the videos doing the rounds of his eccentric way of calling MPs’ names in calling the Bristol West MP’s name to the chorus of the popular rock song.
Twitter users have edited videos together of the former Tory fitting Ms Debbonaire’s name to the chorus of the Bon Jovi hit, calling Labour MP Bambos Charalambous to the tune of Queen’s ‘Under Pressure’ and inviting “Mr Peter Bone” – Tory MP for Wellingborough – to speak to the theme of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony's renowned minor chords.
The video clips have been shared and liked by thousands of users online.
Mr Speaker's repetition of the meme in the Commons drew laughter from the green benches and Labour MP Bristol MP hits out at senior judge for comments on man's 'fundamental right' to have sex with his wife had to stop to recompose herself before asking her question to the Health Secretary about the legalising of cannabis for medicinal use.
She laughed, saying to the Speaker “The danger of internet memes”, before continuing with her question.
It was a light-hearted moment in what has been a terse time in Westminster, with the on-going Brexit wrangle and other serious issues dominating proceedings.
Ms Debbonaire, an opposition whip is leading a debate in Parliament on Wednesday about the treatment of LGBT+ people living in Brunei , where rulers have brought in punishments including death by stoning for those engaging in male homosexual acts.
