Bradlaugh Expelled
Poster Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
Bradlaugh Expelled
CHARLES BRADLAUGH Statesman and reformer expelled from the Commons for refusing to take the oath of allegiance, 1880
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Media ID 581280
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10026814
1833 1891 Allegiance Bradlaugh Commons Expelled Oath Reformer Refusing
EDITORS COMMENTS
This powerful image captures the moment of Charles Bradlaugh's expulsion from the House of Commons in 1880, following his refusal to take the oath of allegiance. Bradlaugh, a prominent British statesman and reformer, was a vocal advocate for secularism and the separation of church and state. He had been elected as the Member of Parliament for Northampton in 1880, but his commitment to his beliefs led to a clash with the House authorities. The oath of allegiance, which required MPs to swear on the Bible and affirm their belief in God, was a contentious issue for Bradlaugh. He had previously been expelled from the House in 1833 for refusing to take the oath, and had been re-elected several times since then. However, in 1880, the Speaker of the House, Sir William Harcourt, refused to allow Bradlaugh to take the oath without the Bible, citing a new House of Commons rule. Despite intense public pressure to back down, Bradlaugh remained steadfast in his refusal to compromise his principles. In this photograph, he can be seen being physically removed from the chamber by police officers, as other MPs look on in shock and disbelief. The scene is a stark reminder of the intense political and social tensions of the time, and the determination of individuals to stand up for their beliefs, even in the face of adversity. Bradlaugh's expulsion from the Commons was a significant moment in British political history, and helped to bring greater attention to the issue of secularism and the separation of church and state. He continued to be a prominent figure in British politics until his death in 1891, and remains an important figure in the history of secularism and individual rights.
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