Council officials should be forced to wear bowler hats if proposals allowing them to clamp down on minor offences are approved, a Conservative MP says.
Jacob Rees-Mogg said he disapproved of granting powers to make it a criminal offence for someone not to hand over their name and address if accused of an offence like dropping litter.
Any official enforcing this should have to wear a bowler hat to show they were a "thorough-going bureaucrat", he said.
Bowler hats were created in the 1850s.
Mr Rees-Mogg made the comments during a debate in Parliament on the London Local Authorities Bill.
This legislation would give council officials greater powers to deal with low-level offenders.
At the moment, they can issue fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour such as dropping litter, dog fouling or playing music too loud but culprits are not required to provide their name and address. Some councils in London want to be given the power to do this.
The MP said the idea was an infringement of civil liberties and officials should be made to wear bowler hats so they could easily be identified and avoided.
"First of all, are these accredited people going to have to wear any uniform of any kind?" he asked. "I wonder if they might have a bowler hat or something so that you knew they were from the council, a proper thorough-going bureaucrat.
"The other thing I wanted to know is that if they used that hat to detain somebody they know they wanted, would they potentially be guilty of false arrest."
He was supported in his stance by Conservative colleague Christopher Chope who said the bowler hat was a symbol of officialdom and that anyone confronted by someone wearing one would "be able to scarper in the opposition direction".
First designed in the mid-19th Century, bowler hats became associated with civil servants and City bankers and were adopted as the emblem of Bradford & Bingley building society. But they largely disappeared from the UK's streets from the 1960s onwards.
Among other powers, the London Local Authorities Bill would authorise councils to recover the cost of street cleaning from polluting traders, require fast food sellers to display their hygiene rating and allow councils to crack down on unlicensed car dealers.
As a seasoned expert in political affairs and legislative processes, my extensive knowledge allows me to delve into the intricacies of the topic at hand—namely, the peculiar proposal made by Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg during a parliamentary debate on the London Local Authorities Bill back in December 2011.
Firstly, let's analyze the context of the discussion. Mr. Rees-Mogg expressed his disapproval of granting council officials the power to criminalize individuals who refuse to provide their name and address when accused of minor offenses such as littering. His proposed solution? Mandating these officials to wear bowler hats, a symbolic measure to easily identify them as "thorough-going bureaucrats."
Now, delving into the historical and cultural background, it's worth noting that bowler hats originated in the 1850s. Traditionally associated with civil servants and City bankers, they became emblematic of authority and officialdom, even adopted as the symbol of Bradford & Bingley building society. However, their prominence on the streets waned from the 1960s onwards.
Rees-Mogg's suggestion introduces a whimsical element to the serious debate, emphasizing the perceived overreach of powers and potential infringements on civil liberties. He raises concerns about the uniformity of the officials and the potential abuse of power, even questioning whether using the bowler hat to detain someone might constitute false arrest.
Support for Rees-Mogg's stance comes from his Conservative colleague Christopher Chope, who asserts that the bowler hat serves as a clear symbol of officialdom. Chope humorously suggests that encountering someone wearing a bowler hat would prompt individuals to "scarper in the opposition direction," underlining the visual impact of this proposed identifier.
In the broader legislative context, the London Local Authorities Bill seeks to grant council officials increased powers, including the ability to issue fixed penalty notices for offenses such as littering, dog fouling, and loud music. Additionally, the bill aims to authorize councils to recover street cleaning costs from polluting traders, mandate hygiene rating displays for fast food sellers, and crack down on unlicensed car dealers.
This proposal, while lighthearted in its approach, reflects deeper concerns about the balance between individual liberties and the enforcement of laws by local authorities. As the London Local Authorities Bill progresses through the legislative process, these discussions surrounding the use of symbolic identifiers and the scope of official powers continue to shape the landscape of local governance.
The bowler has had varying degrees of significance in British culture. They were popular among the working classes in the 19th century. From the early 20th century, bowler hats were more commonly associated with financial workers and businessmen working in the financial districts, also known as "City gents".
Just a guess but perhaps the bowler hat is classic civvy headgear and signifies the transition from military life with it's berets etc to Civvy street attire.
Captain Tim Rayson of the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association said: "The bowler hat is protective of you, and the umbrella could have been a swordstick, so it was, therefore, a concealed weapon. "But we never open our umbrellas.
Derby and bowler hats have been popular for decades. They are a classic hat style often associated with the well-dressed man of the early 1900s. Although they are not as popular today, there are still many well-known celebrities who can be seen wearing these traditional hats.
The practical and wearable bowler hat soon became popular with the working man and aristocrats alike. The style traveled to America where it was called a Derby and went on to become the most popular hat style in the American West. It was also in vogue in France, where it was called a Melon.
For a more classic look, you should pair your bowler hat with a business suit, lounge suit, or stroller suit and wear it more in formal and business settings. You can also pair a bowler hat with classic overcoat styles, about which you can learn more in our guide.
It used to be something of a class signifier (flat cap for the working class, bowler hat for civil service types etc), and related to jobs with uniforms. As dress became less formal, and hair fashion became more widespread the hat lost its cultural significance.
A peaked cap, peaked hat, service cap, barracks cover, or combination cap is a form of headgear worn by the armed forces of many nations, as well as many uniformed civilian organisations such as law enforcement agencies and fire departments.
Over time, the bowler hat has been worn by many prominent figures in history, including Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, and John Steed in the popular TV series, The Avengers. Its popularity has never waned, and it remains an iconic fashion accessory to this day.
Bowler Hats are still worn for some Dressage, Side Saddle and Coaching / Carriage Driving Events. Also formally a Black Bowler Hat is still worn for Remembrance Sunday, Black Sunday and Cavalry Memorial Parade ( Cav Mem ) by various members of British Army Regiments.
In Britain, the height of the Bowler Hat's popularity perhaps peaked around the late 19th to early 20th centuries, but by that time, bowlers were also being worn in other countries around the world including the United States, South America, and Australia.
For men, fedoras, bowlers, or military caps are often worn into the funeral and then removed as a sign of respect. For women, a polished hat that complements your attire can be worn throughout the funeral service. Big, floppy hats that might call attention or block another mourner's view are not encouraged.
The headgear that once defined British civil servants and bankers is returning to the high street. A spokesman for the firm said it was responding to increased enquiries from customers and added that the hat was "a key piece to communicate effortless British style".
One story is that the British soldier and politician Edward co*ke, the younger brother of the 2nd Earl of Leicester had it made in 1849. Its purpose was to protect his gamekeepers' heads from low-hanging branches while on horseback. The keepers had previously worn top hats, which were easily knocked off and damaged.
A bowler hat is a round, hard, black hat with a narrow brim, worn in the past especially by British businessmen. [mainly British]regional note: in AM, use derby.
It still remains a much sought after item for formal and special occasions such as weddings, a day at the races, and traditional costume events. To this day, the traditional Bowler Hat remains an iconic symbol of British style and heritage.
Introduction: My name is Nicola Considine CPA, I am a determined, witty, powerful, brainy, open, smiling, proud person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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