Should Starmer Boot This Eejit Out?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1922019/labour-clive-lewis-protest-sworn-in

I don't care that he's a republican but if he is prepared to compromise his own beliefs by falsely swearing allegiance to the sovereign just to get into parliament he clearly has no moral compass. What else is hidden beneath that slimey exterior?

[Untitled]

there's no other way to be an MP other than swearing loyalty to the king so booting out republicans who do so would effectively ban republicans from entering the house of commons. so no he shouldn't. 

[sandyRoe]

That's why the 8 Sinn Fein MPs don't go to Westminster.

This chap seems young and brash and, perhaps, too honest for his own good.

[ToraToraTora]

Sinn Fein/IRA manage it.

[Untitled]

he has been an MP for quite a long time sandy. i often visit his constituency... he is a very good and very popular MP too. 

[sandyRoe]

Untitled,

I thought he was one of the new intake.

Sinn Fein have MPs but they don't attend because of the oath.

[Untitled]

yes but sinn fein stand exclusively for secession from the uk. clive lewis does not stand exclusively for republicanism. i think taking the oath under protest is a perfectly respectable thing to do given that he has no other choice. 

if i remember right he has been the MP since 2010. not as young as he looks.

[sandyRoe]

^. I agree 100%

[andres]

He is 52 .

[New Judge]

"Clive Lewis, who represents Norwich South, said he was making his affirmation of allegiance to the King "under protest" when he returned to Parliament on Wednesday..."

Mr Lewis presumably knew when he stood for election, that in the event he was successful he would have to swear an oath or make an affirmation of allegiance  to the sovereign. So to make his affirmation "under protest" is somewhat childish. 

It's quite simple really for somebody who is a Republican to avoid having to do this: simply do not stand for Parliament. Of course if Mr Lewis was really true to his principles (instead of making childish gestures) what he should have done on being elected was to refuse to swear or affirm his allegiance. This would have seen him refused entry to Parliament and cause a by-election. He could perhaps then stand in that election (probably minus tthe Labour whip) and if successful, refuse again to pledge his allegiance. This may cause a minor constitutional crisis and might encourage Parliament itself (the sole arbiter in such matters) to address the problem. That would certainly be more effective and perhaps attract a little more respect from the electorate. But I have doubt that's the aim of Mr Lewis's antics.

I understand that Jeremy Corbyn was overheard to describe the swearing-in as a "load on nonsense". By my very quick calculation, I believe Mr Corbyn has endured this nonsense eleven times now. Perhaps the lure of more than forty years' salary as an MP has somewhat overridden his disdain for the UK's Constitutional Monarchy.

[naomi24]

Who does he think he is? Citizen Smith?  Whilst this country is a monarchy he should be gracious enough and adult enough to respect its rules and do as requested without throwing petulant, attention seeking wobblies.  He needs to grow up - and be careful what he wishes for.

[Atheist]

NJ:

"It's quite simple really for somebody who is a Republican to avoid having to do this: simply do not stand for Parliament."

Change the word Republican to Catholic, or Muslim, or Poor....

 

[naomi24]

Atheist, why are you conflating politics with religion and social standing.  That makes no sense whatsoever.

[Atheist]

I think that deciding that some people should be deprived of their right to vote because they do not fit in with some people's views is disgraceful.

[andres]

I wonder how he got into Sandhurst Military Academy. He would have to swear allegiance to the Queen back then, 

[naomi24]

Who's being deprived of their right to vote, atheist?  

[youngmafbog]

Being a Republican myself I dont have an issue with his protest and if he was an independant then there would be no problem.  However he is aligned to the Labour Party so its up to SKS to decide if that is how they want the Party to be reflected. And from what I recall there are a few around who would support him in the Party.

There should be an alternative way to be sworn in, like you dont have to swear on the Bible in Court.

[youngmafbog]

//Who's being deprived of their right to vote, atheist?  //

No one becasue he did the oath under protest.  But he shouldnt have to.

[Untitled]

"It's quite simple really for somebody who is a Republican to avoid having to do this: simply do not stand for Parliament"

Haaa! You'd love that wouldn't you :) 

it is always the same with monarchists. 

the fact that a republican must compromise themselves in order to enter parliament is a problem with our rules and traditions... not with republicans. it is the rule that is wrong and therefore he is quite entitled to say he is making the oath under protest. 

[Untitled]

MPs used to have to swear on the bible until an atheist MP was elected and challenged that foolish tradition... there were plenty of newjudges in the time of charles bradlaugh who wanted him excluded from parliament because he was an atheist. but he won and rightly so. 

[bednobs]

amazingly, i think YMB is the voice of reason here (sorry YMB, it's just we're usually opposite in what we think)