Anti-Monarchy Protesters Shout at King Charles before King’s Speech at Parliament

Nov 7, 2023 | Anti-monarchy protesters shouted at King Charles as he headed to the Palace of Westminster for the King’s first speech to parliament as monarch. The King’s Speech contained 21 new pieces of legislation including proposals to introduce tougher sentencing laws, a ban on the sale of cigarettes and measures to increase oil production in the North Sea.

Wow! What can one say? I'm shocked! I have never seen anything like this in my country before. But, on second thoughts, one can say the following: Far too much privilege, ostentation and wealth on display in the face of abject poverty and suffering for so many. It's a case of billions for the few, but crumbs for the many. Diamonds, emeralds and rubies for the super-privileged few and foodbanks, tents and sleeping bags for the seriously underprivileged.

History tells us much about outcomes in such scenarios. Those in the Establishment need to put their thinking caps on! The successful government of tomorrow will not be the one that takes a man's right to smoke a cigarette away; rather, it will be the government that brings prosperity to the many. – © Mark Alexander

Tory MPs Condemn Use of New Laws to Detain Coronation Protesters

THE GUARDIAN: Backbenchers speak out after Metropolitan police express regret over arrests of six members of Republic

Conservative MPs have condemned the use of new laws to hold anti-monarchy protesters for up to 16 hours during the coronation after the Metropolitan police admitted they had “regrets” following dozens of arrests.

The criticism came after Sadiq Khan demanded a review of policing on Saturday, while Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, declined to rip up the new public order bill under which six members of the protest group Republic were arrested.

New sections of the bill were rushed into law two days before the coronation and were used to arrest six demonstrators. However, all six have been released and the Met has expressed regret. » | Rajeev Syal and Jamie Grierson | Tuesday, May 9, 2023