The House of Commons has been compared to "a pantomime" by a Midland MP because of its 18th century traditions.

David Winnick (Lab Walsall North) said Parliament should give up its customs, such as wearing wigs and even the Queen's Speech.

Every year the Queen summons MPs and reads them details of the Government's plans.

But they should simply be given a copy of the speech on paper and allowed to read it for themselves, Mr Winnick said.

He made the comments in the House of Commons itself.

The MP also called for changes to the clothes worn by Commons staff, which include wigs, breeches and ceremonial swords.

He said: "Why not have less ceremony and pomp and just get on with things?"

MPs had already begun to move away from the old-fashioned traditions, he said, highlighting the decision of former West Bromwich East MP Lady Boothroyd not to wear a wig when she was Speaker.

But they still had much further to go, and needed to modernise in order to be taken more seriously, said Mr Winnick.

He said: "Take, for example, the way in which the House of Commons is involved in the state opening of Parliament.

"We all know from long experience that on that occasion we sit in the Chamber and wait for Black Rod to arrive and command our attendance in the House of Lords for the Queen's Speech, which he does in due course.

"I find it very odd that it is necessary, at the beginning of the 21st century, to have such pomp and ceremony. For example, could not the speech simply be read?"

There was "a lot of dressing up" in the Commons, he said.

"When we look around the Chamber . . . we see wigs, knee breeches and silver-buckled shoes.

"I see it as pantomime and do not believe that it shows great respect for the Queen, to whom I always want great respect to be given."