Labour Party republicans demand Keir Starmer lead ‘a debate on the future of the monarchy’ as they claim the official mourning period after the Queen’s death was a ‘cloak’ used to stifle opposition to Charles becoming King
- Labour for a Republic will host fringe event at Labour conference on Saturday
- Group says official mourning period used as a ‘cloak’ to stifle opposition to king
- It comes a day after the Queen was laid to rest with late husband and parents
Labour Party republicans have challenged Sir Keir Starmer to lead ‘a debate on the future on the monarchy’ just days after the death of the Queen.
Labour for a Republic (L4AR) said that the official mourning period between the late monarch’s death and her funeral yesterday had been used as a ‘cloak’ to stifle opposition to Charles III taking the throne.
The group will host a conference fringe event featuring Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee on Saturday, entitled What Future for the Monarchy?
It comes a day after the Queen was laid to rest with her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh, parents George VI and the Queen Mother, and sister Princess Margaret.
Sir Keir has been at pains to rein in his party during the mourning period and beyond. At the weekend the Mail on Sunday revealed that the party will break with tradition at the start of its conference by playing the National Anthem – despite fears that some delegates could boo.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s event, L4AR chairman Nick Wall said that the monarchy is ‘ clearly at odds with Labour’s values’.
‘The legitimate period of mourning has been used as a cloak to avoid any discussion about the accession,’ he said.
‘This is both coercive and insensitive. In a democracy, discussion about the Monarchy is not something that should be shut down, it is a healthy public debate that should be encouraged.
Labour for a Republic (L4AR) said that the official mourning period between the late monarch’s death and her funeral yesterday had been used as a ‘cloak’ to stifle opposition to Charles III taking the throne.
The group will host a conference fringe event featuring Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee on Saturday, entitled What Future for the Monarchy?
It comes a day after the Queen was laid to rest with her late husband the Duke of Edinburgh, parents George VI and the Queen Mother, and sister Princess Margaret.
‘We have seen in recent weeks how increasingly divisive and out of touch the monarchy is.
‘On the one hand we have millions of people in Britain living in fuel poverty, with millions more set to follow, as well as unprecedented numbers relying on food banks. On the other hand we have seen millions spent on royal parades, which have a purely political aim – to put in place a new Head of State without any scrutiny or consultation with the British people.’
However Sir Keir has been consciously trying to make sure Labour does not rock the boat following the death of the Queen.
He has repeatedly spoken in tribute since her death. Yesterday he said the Queen’s funeral marked ‘the passing of an era’.
The Labour leader was among the 2,000 mourners gathered in Westminster Abbey for the service on Monday.
He wrote on Twitter: ‘Today marks the passing of an era. The dignity, courage, spirit, selflessness and good humour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II showed throughout her reign will always be with us. We are lucky to call ourselves Elizabethans.’
Sir Keir is set to open his party’s four-day conference in Liverpool on September 25 with a tribute to the long-reigning monarch.
Party delegates will also sing the national anthem at the start of the gathering, for the first time in recent history.
It is understood the National Anthem decision came only after intense discussions by party managers over how ‘God Save the King’ would be received in the conference hall.
Several Labour MPs ignored party guidance last week to suspend campaigning and party activity, and make no media comment beyond tribute to the Queen.
In an intervention that will infuriate Sir Keir, Left-wing MP Clive Lewis said the notion of the Royal Family as a symbol of duty or sacrifice was a ‘lie’.
He said his initial response to people queuing for hours to file past the Queen’s coffin was ‘bemusement followed by a touch of despair’.
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