Labour leadership hopeful Lisa Nandy has enraged people by saying she would abolish the monarchy should there be a public referendum on the issue. "Well, I’m a democrat, so I would vote to scrap it", said the 40-year-old noting that the issue is not a priority for Britain, which is now gripped by uncertainty following withdrawal from the European Union.
After that she added: "I quite like to see Queen Meghan at some point", referring to Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, who stepped down from a senior role in the Royal Family along with her husband Prince Harry.
.@lisanandy: “I would vote to scrap it.”
— Facts About Everything (@FAEpodcast) February 17, 2020
All the candidates are asked “in a referendum on keeping the monarchy, would you vote to keep it or scrap it?” #C4Debatepic.twitter.com/1YEO6g8e1v
Her statements sparked outrage and frustration on social media.
What is she smoking?
— Wambawoman (@Wambawoman1) February 17, 2020
Some users couldn’t fathom how Ms Nandy’s plan would work
Doesn’t sound very bright! No monarchy but keep a Queen? 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️
— Amondi (@Amondi64518821) February 17, 2020
So, no monarchy, and also, a queen? Does she ... know what a monarchy is?
— talk less/smile more (@starfishchk) February 17, 2020
Others were dissatisfied with her choice of Queen…
Hell No! Queen Kate!
— Justine Travers (@travers_justine) February 18, 2020
A queen? She couldn't handle being a Duchess. #UtterNonsense
— Susan T. Case (@SusanTCase) February 17, 2020
Many users said that they no longer like or won't vote for Ms Nandy after her statement about the monarchy.
Nope. she was my favourite before this stupid statement. not anymore
— R Gahraman (@gahramanov_r) February 17, 2020
That’s a shame I was beginning to think she would have my vote
— M M (@mmichaelc216037) February 17, 2020
The Labour Party suffered a crushing defeat during election in December. Many netizens noted that Ms Nandy’s statement will make Labour’s predicament even worse.
I now believe that Labour do not want to be In power. They have lost the plot. Time for me to find another party.
— David Moffat (@Moffman666) February 17, 2020
Labour is digging it's self deeper and deeper into the hole of it's own making never to be seen again 😢
— Ian Tomlinson (@IanTom2955) February 18, 2020
Some even joked that Labour will win an election only after Prince George, who is third in line to the throne becomes King.
I still reckon Prince George will become monarch before Labour work out what it takes to win a general election.
— Liam Foster (@LiamFos78239707) February 17, 2020
Despite widespread anger there were users who backed Ms Nandy’s position.
Good to see @lisanandy has to courage to give an answer which is potentially unpopular but right. Disappointed by @Keir_Starmer and unsurprised by @RLong_Bailey’s apparent opportunism. It’s frankly astonishing that any new Labour leader could support a hereditary monarchy.
— bob evans (@thebobevans) February 17, 2020
Finally some sense
— conn_ (@conn_hh) February 17, 2020
During the TV debate Lisa Nandy and other contenders for the post were asked to name their favourite Labour leader and none of them named the incumbent head Jeremy Corbyn or former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who ran the party between 1994 and 2007.
Incumbent Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced calls to resign after Labour showed its worst election performance since the 1930s during a recent poll. The party’s devastating defeat was blamed on Mr Corbyn with MPs saying that voters found it hard to back Jeremy Corbyn and criticised the party’s political programme.
The election of the new Labour leader will start on 21 February. The winner will be revealed on 4 April.
