Civil servant proposes motion of marriage in House of Commons

Romance is in the air in Parliament

A civil servant proposed the ultimate motion in Parliament by asking his girlfriend for her hand in marriage on the floor of the House of Commons.

Deciding how you’re going to propose to your other half is no mean feat.

It’s a defining moment that you’ll both look back on for the rest of your lives, so every single detail is pivotal.

Matthew Reville, a 32-year-old civil servant living in South Norwood, met Rachel Evans, a 32-year-old Parliamentary researcher for a Labour MP living in Twickenham, in April 2016 at the Blue Boar bar in Westminster.

Due to the nature of their professions, Reville could think of no better place to propose than in the heart of the nation’s government.

“We are both quite private people, so I thought I’d surprise her with a very public proposal,” Reville told The Independent.

“I proposed in the House of Commons because Rachel works in Parliament and it seemed a suitable place for the biggest event of our lives so far.

Matthew Reville met his fiancée Rachel Evans two years ago in a bar in Westminster (Matthew Reville)

“I asked Rachel to give a tour of the House to a colleague, who was actually there to film the big moment. We couldn’t be happier.”

Tourists visiting the House of Commons on Friday watched on as Reville went down on one knee, breaking out into applause when Evans accepted his proposal.

One onlooker jokingly quipped: “You know it’s Parliament, so he didn’t mean it.”

The newly engaged couple shared their happy news with their family and friends before Reville posted the video of the proposal on Twitter.

They have since been inundated with messages of congratulations.

“Dear @Rachel-L-Evans congratulations!!” tweeted Debbie Abrahams, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddlworth.

“Must be the best proposal on the floor of the House for many years!! Xx”.