Angry at the prorogation of Parliament, Labour MPs chanted and jeered their Conservative colleagues as they took part in the traditional suspension ceremony. After shouting ‘shame on you’ to those in the prorogation procession, Labour MPs refused to leave the Commons chamber and started singing the 19th century socialist song. The Marxist anthem, largely abandoned by the Labour Party in the 1990s, has been given a resurgence under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.
The timing of the song, sung in the middle of one of Britain’s biggest political crisis’ to engulf the country since the civil war caused outrage.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, fuelled the huge backlash after sharing a video of the chorus on social media.
He wrote: “The closing down of Parliament by Johnson & the Tories provoked anger in the Commons but also in the final moments of this Parliamentary session a defiant burst of singing of the ‘Red Flag’ by Labour MPs.
“We will never let this extreme right wing Tory sect silence our democracy.”
Tory MP Vicky Ford furiously attacked Labour MPs for their actions.
The Chelmsford MP said: “Trying to get my head around witnessing the sight of Labour MPs singing the red flag in the chamber of the House of Commons at 1.30 in the morning … after refusing to vote for a General Election … Goodness!”
Her comments were echoed by furious voters who branded the move by Labour “disgusting”.
One angry voter said: “I’m sure the irony of Labour MPs in particular ‘singing’ in their HoC protest against holding a GE & in favour of keeping on handing governance over this country to Brussels will become the stuff of ‘legend’, but not in a way that will make them proud.”
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Labour’s antics were followed by the SNP who began singing Scots Wha Hae – considered by the party to be the alternative national anthem – on the Commons benches.
The SNP also sang Flower of Scotland while Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru started a chorus of Bread of Heaven.
Ode to Joy, recognised as an EU anthem, was also hummed by some MPs.
Opposition MPs staged a protest in the House of Commons as the ceremony to trigger the five-week suspension of Parliament descended into chaos.
Signs with “silenced” written on them were held by some MPs.
Before walking to the Lords, Mr Bercow appeared to condone the protests as he said MPs were welcome to remain in their seats as the Prime Minister’s actions were not “normal”.
He said: “I recognise that our presence is desired by our Majesty the Queen’s Commissioners.
“They are doing what they believe to be right and I recognise my role in this matter.”
Mr Bercow added: “I’m perfectly happy to play my part, but I do want to make the point that this is not a standard or normal prorogation.”
