The mace represents the Queen's authority for the House of Commons to assemble and carry out its functions.
Whenever the House is assembled, the mace must be on the table before the Speaker. When the House resolves itself into a Committee of the Whole, the mace is lowered (to show that the House is no longer performing the functions of the House of Commons by the Queen's authority, but rather as a committee of the more powerful body).
In Canada, a member of the House of Commons once attempted to grab the mace from the table; proceedings were disrupted, and the member (The Honourable Keith Martin) was not allowed to retake his seat until he apologised to the chamber for having challenged the authority of the House.
The mace in the House of Commons is carried by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
The Mace represents Loyalty and honor and respect. All legislatures and parliaments which derive in form from the British one have a ceremonial mace, including all the provinces and the House of Commons in Ottawa.
Peter Thorne has written: 'The Mace in the House of Commons' -- subject(s): Great Britain, Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons 'Ceremonial and the Mace in the House of Commons' -- subject(s): Great Britain, Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons
in a ceremony
In the House of Commons, the mace symbolizes the authority and power of Parliament. It is a decorative staff that is placed on the central table when the House is in session, signifying that the House is properly constituted and has the authority to conduct business. If the mace is removed, it indicates that the House is not in session and cannot carry out its functions. The mace is a key emblem of the legislative process and the rule of law in the UK.
The 13 rods that make up the handle of the Mace represent the original 13 colonies of the United States.
The ceremonial mace (which rests atop the table during proceedings of both the Senate and the House of Commons) represents the authority of the Queen for the House to meet. It is considered to be a case of serious disorder for a member of either House to touch or remove the mace from its place during proceedings.
House of Commons
House of Commons
The ceremonial war club in the House of Commons, known as the "Mace," symbolizes the authority and power of the House. It is a symbol of order and serves as a reminder of the necessity of law and governance in Parliament. The Mace is placed on the central table during sessions, and its absence signifies that the House is not in session. Its history and significance highlight the traditions and ceremonies that underpin the functioning of the British Parliament.
At all Royal ceremonies.
Parliament consists of the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Crown. As of summer, 2010, there are normally 308 members of the House of Commons and 105 members of the Senate.