Parliament is advertising for a new Black Rod
The post offers carrot, as well as stick
The job advertisement is at once both clear and coy. It states that the successful candidate will demonstrate “strong interpersonal and influencing skills”, a “calm manner” and “excellent communication skills”. What it does not add is that, once a year, those “excellent communication skills” and “calm manner” will be put to use by hitting a big door in Parliament three times with a big stick while the king sits nearby, waiting, on a big gold throne.
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This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Carrot and stick”
Britain
February 15th 2025- It increasingly looks as if Lucy Letby’s conviction was unsafe
- Britain’s review body for criminal convictions is struggling
- Parliament is advertising for a new Black Rod
- A British incubator of businesses often bound for the Bay Area
- Valentine’s Day may need to adjust to the times
- London is ageing twice as quickly as the rest of England
- Is Sir Keir Starmer a chump?
From the February 15th 2025 edition
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