The Brexit strife continues after a British MP was expelled from Parliament for walking off with the chamber’s ceremonial mace in protest of the impending vote.
The centuries‑old gilded staff, which dates from the reign of Charles II in the seventeenth century, is a symbol of royal authority and without it, the British Parliament cannot meet or pass laws.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Theresa May announced her government was postponing a crucial Brexit vote, which was supposed to happen this week. In protest, Labour MP Lloyd Russell‑Moyle walked towards the mace and held it up — which caused the room to erupt with anger.
Conservative MPs shouted “disgrace” and “expel him” as he raised the five‑foot mace to the crowd.
The MP then tried to walk away carrying the mace, but was stopped by a crowd of people. He then handed it back to a Parliamentary official and was suspended for the rest of the sitting.
Russell‑Moyle spoke to reporters after and said the symbolic gesture of lifting the mace and removing it is that the will of Parliament to govern is no longer there adding that he felt the British Parliament had effectively given up its sovereign right to govern properly.
[Source:TheGuardian]
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