Catalogue description Wallington House of Commons, 1902 - 1963

Meetings minute books 1902-1963

Council minute books 1911-1956

Members rolls 1912-1963

Attendance registers 1939-1963

Clerk's note book 1902-1908

Rules and Standing Orders 1957 and

Publications 1950; 1960

Wallington House of Commons, 1902 - 1963

Acc. 5

At the turn of the century a group of local residents from Wallington decided to meet together so they could discuss current issues of the day. In 1902 they formalised their group into one resembling that of Parliament in Westminster, calling themselves the Wallington House of Commons.

They modelled their own system on the real thing, adopting a party approach with all the usual ministerial offices and electing members annually to the administrative posts of Speaker, Clerk and Sergeant at Arms. Meeting fortnightly, they would open with 'Question Time' and follow with a debate that could cover "all aspects of human activity". These friendly and open discussions represent a very clear indicator of the opinions and worries of the time, and were regularly reported in the local press. Lack of sufficient members caused the last meeting to take place in 1963; the fading interest being blamed on political apathy and the growth of television.

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