In another demonstration of the systematic discrimination against republicans in Britain, Welsh Assembly member Leanne Wood was expelled from the assembly chamber on Wednesday for referring to Britain’s hereditary head of state as “Mrs. Windsor.” The expulsion was ordered by the assembly presiding officer Elis-Thomas (who uses the feudal title of “Lord”) following a complaint by Labour assembly member Leighton Andrews.
Mr. Elis-Thomas ruled that Ms. Wood had been discourteous by refusing to defer to the unelected Windsor or recognise the hereditary rights she claims. Ms. Wood was reported as saying that she did not recognise so-called queen and that “I called her that (Mrs.Windssor) because that’s her name”.
Republicans are barred from sitting in the British legislature by the Parliamentary Oaths Act of 1866. The Labour Party has a long record of support for the feudal institution of monarchy.