'It's turned into a meme' the night Parliament confused the world with its bizarre ceremonies

To close observers of British politics, it is easy to forget that our historic system of government is quite strange.

Our politics is grounded in the hereditary power of a monarch appointed by God, limited by commoners who sit in the chamber of a nineteenth century Gothic revivalist palace, chaired by a man who speaks like a Dickensian lawyer.

Monday night's political drama showcased the best - or worst - of British politics' anachronistic procedures and ceremonies.

First, MPs took part in one of the rowdiest debates the Commons has seen for some time, with braying and so-called "chuntering from a sedentary position" happening across the benches for much of the evening.

The Speaker, John Bercow, intervened several times to remind MPs in no uncertain terms that, in the case of Jo Swinson's speech "the Honourable Lady has a right to be heard, and she will be heard".

MPs, for their part, made full use of parliamentary procedure to derail the debate. Anna Soubry, David Linden and others were admonished by the Speaker for using points of order - designed to draw Bercow's attention to procedural irregularities - to make political points.

After the general election motion failed, Parliament began its prorogation procedure.

Black Rod marched from the Lords to the Commons, having the door slammed in her face, and called on MPs to join her in the upper house.

A number of MPs tried to stop the Speaker from getting out of his seat, holding up signs that said "silenced".

While a speech was read on behalf of the Queen in the Lords, MPs left in the Commons sang songs and jeered at Conservatives who followed the Speaker out of the chamber.

People across the world watched this late-night procedure, and were baffled.

Black Rad briefly trended on Twitter, as Americans watching the procedure in the evening asked who she was.

Andrea Hernandez, who runs a mood-based snack bar company in New Orleans, said the shouting in the Commons is a sign of how “scandalous” politics in the UK is, compared with its more sober American counterpart.

“It just isn’t experienced here. In the US, politics is not that scandalous,” she says.

“I think British politics has turned into a meme. Obviously we have Trump now, so it’s a bit like, ‘who is more ridiculous?’

“There’s a lot of pompousness.”

While in the US, “politicians wear their suits”, the judiciary no longer wears wigs and gowns and ermine robes are far from the norm.

“I was scared,” she says. “When the Black Rod lady came in, it seemed like they really didn’t want her to be there.

She described the whole episode as “Black Mirrorish”. 

That lady with the black rod seems pretty awesome. What's her story?

Charlie Garcia, a US tweeter, said: "In a refreshing change of pace from US politics, friends and I watched the close of the UK Parliamentary Session.

"I'm sorry your politics are getting crazy but watching the Speaker have a go at the 'right honorable' folks is kinda entertaining. Also the sceptre and Black Rod.

"Regardless of the circumstances precipitating the crisis, it's a little comforting to hear the speaker say how no insult or vulgarity is unprecedented in the scope of their Parliament," he said. 

"It gives me hope that the US system can survive the charged discourse that's happening now."

TIME editor at large Anand Giridharadas tweeted: "Just when you thought you were starting to understand British politics, something or someone called Black Rod enters the scene."

Someone replied: "Suddenly I am wondering if characters I assumed were villains in Harry Potter may have just been standard members of UK parliament."

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