It’s official: There is “no turning back” as Theresa May has triggered Brexit in a “historic moment”. As such, you would probably expect the atmosphere in Parliament to be respectful, right?
But this is not what we saw. Following PMQs the Prime Minister gave a speech kicking off the two-year process of Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union minutes after the letter triggering Article 50 was delivered to the European Council.
To many watching on TV, it seemed the behaviour of MPs didn’t entirely reflect the importance of the occasion, as there was a whole lot of heckling going on.
People were outraged at the sheer ruckus in the chamber, likening many of the MPs to schoolchildren.
#PMQs they really do need to shut up when someone else is talking its like a bad primary school!!!!!
— FionaHarvey (@FionaHa09210946) March 29, 2017
#PMQs this show is so childish all these people laughing making idiots of theirselves ??????????
— Billy (@billyuk1989) March 29, 2017
Every time MPs are chastised for grumbling over the person speaking you see them for the bunch of pathetic school kids they are #PMQs
— Alex Lawson (@MrAlexLawson) March 29, 2017
In her speech, May said: “We are going to make our own decisions and our own laws, we are going to take control of the things that matter most to us, and we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer Britain – a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home.”Considering it is such a momentous occasion, many felt that the noise made by MPs was inappropriate.
#PMQs What an embarrassing rabble.
— craig wilson (@wullie1977) March 29, 2017
Can't remember the last time i saw a pm heckled so badly #PMQs #Brexit #Article50
— HenryHenriHeinrich (@HenryB1992) March 29, 2017
Today of all days can we please not have #PMQs being full of childish laughter and shouting. It's just embarrassing.
— Lara Scott (@laracapulet) March 29, 2017
At one point some MPs even laughed after the PM said: “I believe in the values of Europe.”
Theresa May: "I believe in the values of Europe"
House of Parliament erupts in laughter!
????#BrexitDay #brexit #Article50 #PMQs— Wayne McGee (@McGdoubleE) March 29, 2017
Disgusting behaviour on all sides. How can UK politicians ever expect to be taken seriously, children are better behaved #PMQs
— Phil Olson (@Ph1ltheee) March 29, 2017
#PMQs Can you not control the house whilst the prime minister is reading her speech what a disgrace …no manners..
— Manush Rafatjah (@rafatjah) March 29, 2017
In fact, the noise got so bad that Speaker John Bercow had to step in to give the MPs a good dressing down – an act which was praised on Twitter.
Good on the Speaker for quelling the idiotic jeering to the PM in such a historic speech and important information. #PMQs
— Jacob S (@jacobms23) March 29, 2017
However, some were unimpressed that Bercow deigned to call Boris Johnson by his first name.
Point of order Should speaker call Foreign Sec Boris? #PMQs
— Macclabour (@MaccLabour) March 29, 2017
#PMQs Since when did The Speaker start referring to the Foreign Secretary as "Boris"?
— Happy Hiker (@IamHappyHiker) March 29, 2017
Heckling or no heckling, the outcome is the same: Article 50 has been triggered and the countdown to Britain officially leaving the EU is now underway.To end on a positive note, May said in her speech: “I choose to believe in Britain and that our best days lie ahead.”