PRIME Minister's Questions erupted into chaos today after Speaker John Bercow expelled SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford.
As Blackford exited the Commons, SNP MPs followed behind him.
He had called for a vote on the House sitting in private, as he raised attention to the scandalous lack of Scotland's voice in the debate on the Brexit power grab.
And as we round-up the reaction on Twitter from across political parties, a couple of key facts to remember:
- The Tories filibustered the mere 15 minutes of debate on the Lords amendment sealing the power grab on Scotland
- Labour abstained on that vote
With those in mind, here's what politicians had to say:
Tories would never play political games would they... like, I don’t know, only given 15mins to debate Scotland then filibustering it out?!🧐 https://t.co/0BUGRttSI4
— Kezia Dugdale MSP (@kezdugdale) June 13, 2018
Completely sympathise with @theSNP MPs who just walked out. Devolution completely squeezed out of yesterday's debate.
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) June 13, 2018
If you're wondering who is to blame for this chaos. It's not the SNP. It's not the Speaker. It's the anti-democratic Tories. #PMQs
However theatrical the SNP walk-out from #PMQs was, it's the UK Government's actions yesterday in tearing up the principle of devolved consent which show the real disrespect for parliamentary democracy.
— Patrick Harvie 🇪🇺 (@patrickharvie) June 13, 2018
Right behind @IanBlackfordMP and @theSNP MPs. Scotland and @ScotParl are being treated with contempt by Westminster and it needs to be highlighted. https://t.co/Mbrriq6RPL
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 13, 2018
My SNP colleagues and I were treated to the same braying and disrespect that we receive on a continual basis. Scottish Tories told me to sit down. Let me be clear, the SNP shall not 'sit down' and allow the people of Scotland to be treated in this way. #PowerGrab #PMQs pic.twitter.com/GUT984iJNg
— Ian Blackford (@IanBlackfordMP) June 13, 2018
The @theSNP pulled a choreographed stunt in the chamber today, some of them gesticulating and shouting as though they were in a pub brawl as they left. Their frustration at having zero power or impact is beginning to show.
— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) June 13, 2018
Even the speaker has called @theSNP walkout a 'stunt'. That's two presiding officers they've disrespected now in an effort to stoke grievance and advance their separatist agenda. https://t.co/qARsLYFapd
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) June 13, 2018
Very proud of @theSNP MP Colleagues. While Lib Dem, Tory & Labour Scottish MPs sit on their hands and let UK Tory Govt dismantle devolution we stand up for the people of Scotland. That is what we were elected to do.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) June 13, 2018
Could not be prouder of my colleagues.
Today @theSNP MP’s have walked out of PMQ’s in protest at Scotland being disrespected by Westminster. Here’s why. #snpwalkout #PMQs #EUWithdrawalbill pic.twitter.com/tS4g8HbQE6
— Hannah Bardell (@HannahB4LiviMP) June 13, 2018
I was due to speak today on #EUWithdrawalbill re Charter of Fundamental Rights but I’ve walked out with colleagues to support @theSNP leader @IanBlackfordMP who has been unjustly excluded from the chamber for the day. There is no respect agenda #SNPWalkout
— Joanna Cherry QC MP (@joannaccherry) June 13, 2018
Not since Ron Brown seized the mace 40 years ago has Scotland been so embarrassed by the public conduct of its MPs in the Commons. Shame on this rag bag of SNP MPs, abandoning their chance to actually ask their questions to the PM in favour of juvenile antics. https://t.co/FJhxH08nIy
— Jackson Carlaw MSP (@Carlaw4Eastwood) June 13, 2018
The public just want this mess sorted. All of Scotland's parties should be working on a fresh deal before this ends up in the courts. Here's Labour's proposal - solutions not stunts 👇 https://t.co/3bgvszCJi8
— Richard Leonard (@LabourRichard) June 13, 2018
.@theSNP was about to be granted a debate on how the devolution aspects of the EU Withdrawal Bill. Disappointed, if not surprised, that if they really felt so strongly about it, they chose a stunt over holding the Government to account
— David Mundell (@DavidMundellDCT) June 13, 2018
The Scottish Parliament reconvened just over 19 years ago and last night saw the wrecking of that devolution settlement in less than 19 minutes. Today we @theSNP left the Commons in disgust in less than 19 seconds #SNP walkout #PowerGrab @DundeeSNP #PMQs
— Chris Law MP (SNP) (@ChrisLawSNP) June 13, 2018
So support from across political parties ... except the Tories. That's a good sign.
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