Which pronoun must MPs avoid using in debate?

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In debate, language is shaped to keep formality and clarity, focusing on institutions and positions rather than addressing individuals directly. MPs avoid the second-person pronoun “you” because using it would target the person or audience directly, which can feel confrontational and breaks the formal distance of the chamber. Instead they refer to the government or the House, or they use I or we to express personal or collective positions, and they use they when talking about others. This helps make arguments precise and respectful. For example, they’d say “The government has proposed…” or “We believe…” rather than “You have proposed….”