Labour MP hits out at royals and calls for debate on republicanism

The royal family are “millionaires demanding that we pay for their pleasure while people go hungry”, a Labour MP has said.

Emma Dent Coad said it was outrageous that one of the richest families in the country continues to receive millions from the public purse at a time of great hardship for many.

She also criticised the cost to the taxpayer of the upcoming wedding of Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank, reportedly around £2 million.

Ms Dent Coad told a meeting of Labour republicans that silent supports must “get off your knees and speak out” because “if the British stand for anything it should be freedom of speech, democracy and so on”.

She added: “Here we have a family of millionaires demanding that we pay for their pleasure while people go hungry.

“There can be no better recommendation for socialism.

“So let’s have the debate, not a revolution.

“Let’s be heard and let’s put republicanism right in the middle of the debate about socialism.”

Ms Dent Coad, who took Kensington at the 2017 election, has been a vocal critic of the royal family.

She said that after making a similar speech at the 2017 party conference she received death threats.

But she said the “tide was turning”, adding: “This Establishment, backed by the media, is afraid of the debate that so many wish to hold.”