Parliamentary string quartet set to perform in Palace of Westminster

AN MP, a television presenter and two parliamentary staffers are set to perform at a charity concert in the Palace of Westminster on July 2.

Known as the Statutory Instruments, the ensemble of Labour MP Thangam Debbonaire, Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman, councillor Katherine Chibah and Emily Benn, former general election candidate, performed in the House of Commons on June 18, and they want more MPs to take part in musical performances.

“What I’m hoping for is that people will have the opportunity to be calm or uplifted,” former shadow culture secretary Debbonaire was quoted as saying. “Or to think ‘What can I get involved in?’

“I’m really hoping that other members of Parliament or members of staff will say ‘I would like to play with you’ as well.

“I think MPs of all parties, the staffers of all parties and the House of Lords, everybody’s welcome … if you can play a musical instrument and you’ve got ambition to play, come and talk to me.

“It would be fantastic if we can expand our ensemble so that the Statutory Instruments could become, maybe, the Statutory Instruments Orchestra at some point.”

Describing the experience of playing in the Commons as a “special treat,” Debbonaire said they asked the Speaker John Bercow’s permission before they performed in the chamber.

“We asked the Speaker’s permission and he had to check in with the Sergeant-at-Arms to make sure all the doorkeepers were aware of it,” she said. “I’m an opposition whip so I’m a real stickler for rules.

“I mean, it’s not the perfect acoustic but it was really special to play in there.”

They describe themselves as “probably the first UK Parliamentary string quartet.”