Clive Lewis For Norwich South
“Silent acquiescence in the face of tyranny is no better than outright agreement.” C. J. Redwine
Last night in the chamber ‘Love Socialism’ Labour and Green MPs symbolically opposed the prorogation of Parliament. It was based on the 1629 event, where MPs pinned the Speaker to his seat in an attempt to prevent the prorogation of Parliament at the request of Charles I.
This was peaceful, planned protest to illustrate the anger, both from MPs and the public, that people feel about our parliament being silenced. As the Speaker and Black Rod began the proceeding to prorogue parliament, our group held up placards reading ‘silenced’ and attempted to prevent him leaving his seat and attending the House of Lords for the next step in the formalities required for the suspension of parliament.
Now, as then, democratically elected representatives are being silenced because we will not support the inherently dangerous, damaging and unlawful tactics being deployed by our Government.
So for the next 5 weeks parliament will be silenced. This is nothing more than a ‘born-to-rule’ right-wing leader acting on behalf of his super-rich backers. This is a democratic outrage. Whether you voted leave or remain, the new Trump-style Tories hold you in contempt.
Even if MPs are shut out of the House of Commons, we will continue to do everything possible to hold this out of control Executive to account.