[6] These parliamentarians were often unable to attend rehearsals because of voting commitments and the late hours of parliamentary business.

[7][8] Over then set up a choir in the Palace of Westminster, the Parliament Choir, which enabled parliamentarians to attend votes at short notice with the sounding of the division bell during rehearsals, returning to rehearse shortly after the vote had concluded.

[8][3] The Parliament Choir is legally organised as a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.

[10] Since its founding, the choir has upheld a policy of keeping its membership open to anyone who has a parliamentary pass or works in the Palace of Westminster; membership is open to all parliamentary staff including police and security personnel, caterers and transcribers for Hansard, as well as to journalists with access to the press gallery and parliamentarians from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, including senior government ministers.

[11] Membership is cross-party and its members have included Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians.