The Lesser Spotted Parliamentary Pass

As Bill Oddie spends his Spring spotting rare birds (and making increasingly annoying jokes about Great Tits) on Springwatch, it was interesting today to note that if he ever turned his talents to political commentary he would have had a field day in Parliament today.

Actually, I suppose most days are a "field day" when you are a professional bird watcher - but let's put that to one side. For today was the day for catching a rare glimpse of the lesser spotted pass wearer.

It seems that the vast majority of Parliamentary staff that work for MPs have passes which needed renewing by the Pass Office by the end of May 2008. I can only presume that this anomaly occurs because if you worked in Parliament before the 2005 General Election (or were part of the 2005 intake) you were given a new pass straight after the election in May 2005 and therefore 3 years later everyone has the same expiry date.

So today the Pass Office has been full of bemused staff who either didn't spot their pass was about to expire, or have been unable to get hold of their boss during the recent Parliamentary Recess to sign their forms, being given Visitor passes (as above) or Day Passes (affectionately known as the "Spanner Pass" - this is because this ginormous white paper document is given to passholders who have forgotten their own pass, generally after drunken escapades the night before, and wearing it on your jacket pocket is usually is accompanied by all your friends shouting "Oi, Spanner, you've forgotten your pass!".)

And as the MPs are back from Recess today the security seem to have taken great pleasure in stopping staff with expired passes, taking the pass from them, barring these people entry to the estate and branding them a security risk. (Interestingly MPs do not have to renew their passes, ever.)

And there is also the knock on effect to the refreshment departments as Day Pass holders and Visitor pass holders are not allowed access to refreshment services unless accompanied by a full passholder (and not at all in Portcullis House unless with an MP). Fortunately today the authorities seemed to turn a blind eye to the problem, but don't be surprised if there is a crackdown later in the week after some MPs complain.

How wonderful to see so many permanent members of staff reliant on their interns just to get from A to B and eat some lunch. I am sure the interns loved it to.

Make the most of it though, this sort of anomaly only occurs once every couple of years!
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