Another place

Parliamentary Usage and Tradition

The practice of using "another place" is a long-standing rule of parliamentary language in bicameral legislatures operating under the Westminster model. This includes the Parliament of Canada, the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the Parliament of Australia. The core rule dictates that a member speaking in one house must not refer directly to the other house by its proper name during debates. Instead, the member must use the indirect phrase "another place" or "the other place" to acknowledge the other chamber's existence or its actions. For example, a Canadian senator commenting on a bill passed by the elected lower house would state that a bill has arrived from another place, rather than naming the House of Commons directly. This convention is strictly observed during official proceedings within the parliamentary chamber itself.

The reasons for this tradition are not definitively documented, but it is widely considered a historical relic from periods of significant tension between the two houses of the British Parliament. By avoiding direct reference, the practice is thought to minimize confrontation and maintain a veneer of detached formality between the chambers. It serves as a linguistic buffer that reinforces the constitutional separation of the legislative bodies. Importantly, a member referring to their own chamber while speaking within it will use the term "this place" to create a clear distinction. This reciprocal terminology helps maintain the formal identity of each house as a separate institution with its own authority and dignity within the parliamentary system.

Application in the Canadian Context

In the Parliament of Canada, the convention is applied between the appointed Senate and the elected House of Commons. Senators and Members of Parliament are trained in parliamentary procedure to use this terminology during Question Period, debates on legislation, and other formal house business. The rule is a matter of parliamentary etiquette and is enforced by the Speaker of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Commons, who may call a member to order for using the direct name of the other chamber. The purpose in the Canadian context is identical to its British origin: to uphold decorum and mutual respect between the two distinct components of the legislature. It formalizes interactions and prevents debates from devolving into direct personal or institutional attacks across the parliamentary aisle.

However, the requirement to use "another place" is context-specific and does not extend beyond the walls of the parliamentary chamber. Members are free to use the direct names "the Senate" or "the House of Commons" in all other forms of communication. This includes media interviews, public speeches, committee meetings outside the chamber, and written correspondence. Also, the convention is typically set aside when the debate topic itself directly concerns the structure or reform of the other house. In a debate about Senate reform, for instance, members would necessarily refer to "the Senate" directly to discuss its composition or functions, as the indirect phrase would be impractical and confusing. This demonstrates that the rule is one of procedural formality rather than a blanket prohibition on naming the other institution.

Use in Other Westminster Parliaments

The use of "another place" is a common feature across multiple national parliaments that operate on the Westminster model. In the United Kingdom, members of the House of Commons refer to the House of Lords as "another place," and Lords reciprocate when speaking of the Commons. The Australian Parliament follows the same practice, with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate using the indirect reference during chamber proceedings. This shared terminology highlights the common procedural heritage of these legislatures. The rule is uniformly applied as a standard part of debate, ensuring a consistent level of formality in inter-chamber references. The specific parliamentary contexts where the term is used include several standard legislative situations.

• When a bill is sent from one house to the other for consideration.
• When referring to debates or decisions that took place in the other chamber.
• When questioning why the other house has taken a certain action on legislation.
• During discussions on messages or communications received from the other house.
• When noting the presence or absence of members from the other chamber during joint sessions.

The phrase "another place" is a euphemism used in many bicameral parliaments using the Westminster system. This includes the parliaments of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. A member of one house will not usually refer directly to the other house. Instead, they refer to it indirectly using the phrase "another place" or "the other place". The tradition does not extend to business conducted outside the house, such as speeches and interviews. The reasons for the tradition are unclear, but it may date back to a period of ill-feeling between the two houses of the UK Parliament.

Analogous Uses in Institutional Rivalries

Beyond the parliamentary sphere, the phrase "the other place" has been adopted in other longstanding British institutional rivalries, primarily in educational contexts. The most famous examples are the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, whose students and alumni often refer to the rival institution as "the other place." This usage mirrors the parliamentary tradition by employing an indirect, slightly dismissive, yet formally recognizant term for a competitor. Similarly, the historic rivalry between the British public schools Eton College and Harrow School features the same terminology, with pupils of each school using "the other place" to refer to the other. These uses are informal and cultural, rather than governed by any official rule. The adoption of this phrase extends to several specific rival institutions.

• The University of Oxford (referring to the University of Cambridge).
• The University of Cambridge (referring to the University of Oxford).
• Eton College (referring to Harrow School).
• Harrow School (referring to Eton College).

This extraneous usage shares the core characteristic of the parliamentary practice: it avoids using the proper name of a rival institution in a context where direct reference might be seen as too familiar or confrontational. It creates an in-group identity for members of one institution by defining themselves against an external "other" known only by a generic label. While these educational rivalries are social and sporting rather than governmental, the adoption of the phrase illustrates how formal parliamentary language can seep into broader cultural lexicons. In Canada, such specific institutional rivalries using this phrase are less common, though the parliamentary usage remains the primary and official application of the term within the national context.

Procedural Importance and Modern Relevance

Within modern parliamentary practice, the rule to use "another place" retains procedural importance. It is one of many detailed protocols that structure debate and maintain order. The Speaker's role in enforcing this rule, though rarely exercised to a severe degree, shows that parliamentary language is deliberately constrained and ritualized. This formality is designed to raise discussion above ordinary conversation and to focus on the substance of policy rather than on interpersonal or inter-institutional slights. In an age of intense partisan debate, such traditions can serve as a brake on rhetoric, forcing members to adhere to a coded language of respect.

Critics sometimes view the convention as an archaic and unnecessary piece of parliamentary jargon that obscures clear communication. Proponents, however, argue that it preserves the dignity of the institution and its historical continuity. For new members of Parliament, learning to use "another place" correctly is part of their initiation into the unique culture and procedures of the legislature. The convention's survival is evidence of the conservative nature of parliamentary rules, which change slowly. It acts as a daily reminder to parliamentarians that they are participants in a system with deep historical roots and formal traditions that govern even the simplest forms of address. As such, "another place" remains a small but significant marker of Canadian parliamentary identity.

Questions about Another place

What does 'another place' mean in Canadian Parliament?

In the Canadian Parliament, 'another place' or 'the other place' is the formal, indirect term used by a member of one house to refer to the other house during official debates. A senator speaking in the Senate must use this phrase to refer to the House of Commons, and a Member of Parliament must use it to refer to the Senate. This convention is a rule of parliamentary language and decorum inherited from the British Westminster system. It is intended to maintain formal respect and separation between the two chambers. The rule is enforced by the Speaker during proceedings within the parliamentary chamber itself.

Where did the tradition of saying 'another place' come from?

The tradition originates in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, the original Westminster system upon which Canada's Parliament is modelled. It is believed to date back to historical periods of tension and ill-feeling between the House of Lords and the House of Commons. Using an indirect reference was thought to minimize direct confrontation and maintain a formal distance between the two houses. The practice evolved from a practical method to reduce conflict into a fixed rule of parliamentary procedure. This rule, along with many others, was subsequently adopted by other Commonwealth parliaments, including Canada's.

Do other countries' parliaments use the term 'another place'?

Yes, other bicameral parliaments using the Westminster system employ the same convention. The Parliament of the United Kingdom, where the tradition began, uses it between the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The Parliament of Australia also uses the term, with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate referring to each other's chambers as 'another place' during debates. This shared terminology highlights the common procedural heritage of these legislatures. The rule is a standard feature of debate across these systems, ensuring consistent formality in how the two houses formally acknowledge each other's existence and actions.

Are there any other common uses of the phrase 'the other place'?

Beyond parliament, the phrase 'the other place' is famously used in longstanding British institutional rivalries, particularly in education. The universities of Oxford and Cambridge often refer to each other as 'the other place.' Similarly, the prestigious public schools Eton College and Harrow School use the term for their historic rival. These uses are informal and cultural, mimicking the parliamentary tradition by using an indirect, slightly dismissive term for a competitor. In Canada, such specific institutional uses are less prevalent, and the primary understanding of the phrase remains rooted in its official parliamentary context.

Do politicians have to use 'another place' in interviews or speeches?

No, politicians are not required to use the term 'another place' in interviews or speeches. This parliamentary tradition is specifically for use within the chamber and does not extend to business conducted outside the house. The convention is generally followed only during formal proceedings within the parliament itself. Members are free to refer directly to the other house by its proper name when speaking to the media or giving public addresses. This distinction keeps the formal tradition separate from everyday political communication.

What is the opposite of 'another place' in parliamentary language?

The opposite term for 'another place' in parliamentary language is 'this place'. When a member of parliament is speaking about their own legislative chamber, they use this phrase to refer to it indirectly. This convention exists alongside the practice of calling the other house 'another place' or 'the other place'. The usage forms part of a formal tradition observed in bicameral parliaments using the Westminster system. These indirect references help maintain a specific decorum during proceedings within the parliamentary chamber itself.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-31.