‘Sit up man’: Rees-Mogg slammed for Brexit debate body language

Jacob Rees-Mogg accused of showing contempt of parliament for stretching out across bench during heated discussion.

This handout picture released on the Twitter page of British Labour party MP for Redcar, Anna Turley, shows shows Britain''s Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg relaxing on the front benches
After the criticism, Rees-Mogg remained in repose, shaking his head as he adjusted his glasses [AFP/Anna Turley MP via Twitter]

It was one of the most momentous days in modern British politics but that did not stop Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons and hard line Brexiter, from slouching on the front benches during a heated debate over a key vote on the country’s departure from the European Union.

As MPs on Tuesday discussed a motion to take control of parliamentary business in order to legally rule out a no-deal Brexit, Rees-Mogg stretched out across the green bench – angering opponents who accused him of showing contempt for parliament.

“There’s been a lot of talk about democracy tonight, and the Leader of the House, who – I have to say – with his body language throughout this evening has been so contemptuous of this house, of the people,” Caroline Lucas, a member of parliament for the Green party, said during the debate.

“The Leader of the House has been spread across around three seats, lying out as though if that was something very boring for him to listen to tonight. Can I just say to him, when he has been lecturing us about democracy, we will have none of it,” she added. 

Britain's Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg reclines on his seat in the House of Commons, London, Tuesday Sept. 3, 2019. With Britain's prime minister Boris Johnson weakened by a major de
Opponents accused Rees-Mogg of showing contempt for parliament [Parliament TV via AP]

Other MPs could be heard shouting “sit up man”, but the Conservative politician remained in repose, shaking his head as he adjusted his glasses.

The scene took place before a cross-party alliance voted by 328 to 301 for the motion, prompting Prime Minister Boris Johnson to announce that he would immediately push for a snap election.

The sight of the reclining Rees-Mogg prompted strong reactions online – and became an instant meme.

 Memes also showed up with users showing the government’s slipping majority since 2017.

Some demanded him to show some respect: 

While others accused him of entitlement:

“A rare resting Rees-Mogg spotted in sterling,” journalist Tracy Alloway wrote:

Source: Al Jazeera