Gene Simmons Visited Parliament To Watch PMQs And... Sorry, What?!

Just when you thought things in parliament couldn’t get any more predictable, it turns out that none other than Gene Simmons of Kiss fame was present in the chamber for Prime Minister’s Questions this week.

But wait, there’s more.

If the rock frontman’s presence in the House of Commons alone wasn’t chaotic enough, it turns out he was there after being invited by DUP MP Ian Paisley, who treated him to a guided tour.

As you do.

Reports of Gene being in Westminster began early on Wednesday, with those who’d spotted him being a little confused as to exactly what was going on.

Political reporter Kate Ferguson of The Sun On Sunday tweeted after PMQs that the ministers present “couldn’t get out of that PMQs quick enough”, joking: “I think some of them were off to try to get a pic with Gene Simmons.”

And it turns out, she might have been onto something…

Speaking to the PA news agency that afternoon, Gene said: “What I just saw in there was controlled chaos. It was the clash of wills but respectful – the right honourable so and so, it was fascinating.

“In America, it’s like the middle finger is a salute. I think Americans can take a big lesson in civility in how to make democracy actually work and still respect the other side.

“It bears noting that the coin that you use in trade actually has two different faces that don’t resemble each other at all but they both lay claim to the sovereignty of the coin. They both have the right to say ‘I am that coin’. Likewise, the person who disagrees with you has every right to say ‘This is my England as well’.”

He added: “[I’ve never been] physically here [in parliament] and I will tell you, touching a piece of granite that’s over 1,000-years-old is insane.

“America is so young and has no sense of history, everything over there is just fast, immediate, instant gratification and there’s no time to sit there and just gaze, I mean, look where you are – it’s insane. We’re standing on, in terms of democracy, hallowed ground.”

Meanwhile, DUP minister Ian Paisley explained: “Gene is a guest, he’s a real knowledgeable guy about the history of this place, he’s got a genuine interest both in the history and the theology behind all this stuff, and he’s had a private tour and he’s been able to visit Deputy Prime Minister’s question time.

“It’s great to have him here, an honour to have guests here and it’s great when they’re passionate and interested and they can tell the world about the importance of this building and democracy and what it means for people here.”