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AFTER Labour swept to victory at the General Election, it’s been like the first day at school for a new cohort of MPs who this week have been going through the lengthy experience of being sworn in.
The whole process – which involves every single one of 643 MPs (Sinn Fein's seven don't take their seats) whether they are new or not – took three days. Each member made an oath or affirmation of allegiance to the crown, which allows them to vote, speak in debates and get paid.
Thankfully, there are some hero politicians out there who don’t like to just let us suffer through it and instead provide some entertainment.
It would appear veteran MP Jeremy Corbyn – who was returned to Parliament as an independent last week – has finally lost his patience with it all after he was caught on a Commons mic describing the whole performance as “a load of old nonsense” while waiting in the queue.
It is also becoming more and more common now to see MPs speak in protest against the monarchy before they take their oath or affirmation.
Labour MP Clive Lewis was not afraid to stand out in his party after declaring that he would like to see the UK become a republic.
Lewis said before his affirmation: “I take this oath under protest and in the hope that one day my fellow citizens will democratically decide to live in a republic.”
Earlier the same day, SDLP MPs Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna made clear that they were affirming allegiance to the King in order to do their job as MPs, with Eastwood branding the affirmation an “empty formula”.
New SNP MP Seamus Logan – who beat Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East – also decided to take a dig at the royals as he was sworn in.
He said before his affirmation that his constituents know where his "loyalties lie", and declared himself a "proud nationalist".
Amid all this shenanigans, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle was once again dragged – yes, quite literally – back to the chair to preside over Commons proceedings for another term.
The pantomime is now over but, what’s that I hear you say? Oh no it isn’t?!
Well, you’re quite right, as the "State Opening of Parliament" is coming our way once again next week with all its pompous traditions.
But if they’re loud enough, Black Rod, the King and co may just be able to hear anti-monarchy protesters from Republic and Labour For A Republic outside as they have announced they will be holding a demonstration against the event.
Once the King’s speech is done, we can perhaps get on with talking about policy and where this Labour government preaching “change” is going to take us.
But for now, it’s been a week of bedding in, sifting through the admin, and you’ll have to grin and bear a bit more of this showbusiness sadly before we can get down to the nitty gritty of politics.
