A LABOUR MP has blasted "hysteria" media headlines after he publicly opposed the monarchy before taking an affirmation in the House of Commons.
Clive Lewis – the representative for Norwich South – is a keen republican and made his position clear last week when he took the affirmation “under protest”.
All MPs that wish to vote, take part in debates and receive their salary must make an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the Crown, but some who are opposed to the monarchy chose to make statements this year making their feelings known.
Lewis has subsequently slated what he felt was “hysteria” from the media in the aftermath of his decision, suggesting some headlines prove we live in a “reactionary democracy”.
He posted a video on Twitter/X, accompanied by a message saying some people “are having a meltdown about my protest”.
In his response to said “meltdown”, he said in the video: “So I made the mistake of looking underneath my timeline on my statement in the oath about the republic.
“What this shows me is two things. Firstly, it was no big deal what I said. What I said was that I, as a democratically elected representative, would like to live in a democratically-decided republic.
Some people are having a meltdown about my protest before having to swear an oath to the King. Here's my response. pic.twitter.com/IR4KSiHIBw
— Clive Lewis MP (@labourlewis) July 15, 2024
“The actual hysteria from the media headlines like I’m ‘taking a swipe at the monarchy’ tell us all we need to know about the fact that we live in a reactionary democracy.”
Lewis was not the only MP to protest the monarchy while taking an oath or affirmation.
Two SDLP MPs - Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna - expressed their pro-republic sentiment during the swearing-in ceremony, while SNP MP Seamus Logan described himself as a “proud nationalist”, adding that his constituents know where his “loyalties lie”.
Sharing his latest video, anti-monarchy campaign group Republic posted on Twitter/X: “@labourlewis is right again. Why should it be controversial to, as a democratically-elected MP, support a democratically-elected republic?
“It’s time to scrap the oath.”
There are set to be republican protests outside Westminster later this week at the State Opening of Parliament, as the new Labour set out their legislative agenda as the new UK Government.
Republic and Labour for a Republic will be joining forces to make their voices heard before King Charles delivers the King’s Speech.
