The rules have caused some consternation among MPs and shadow ministers who believe the party should continue to speak out about the cost of living crisis. In the guidance released this week, seen by the Guardian, MPs were asked to “suspend all campaigning and partisan activity” although they continued to conduct cases and consultative interventions. MPs have been advised to stay away from Westminster and the House of Commons building, where they work. They were told to stop their political communications with constituents, including email updates and newsletters, which at least one lawmaker said he had ignored in order to send constituents an update on the energy freeze package announced last week. The advice also says “you should not post anything on social media other than your own tribute or what you have been asked to share by the PLP office… you should ensure that any social media posts do not include political branding ». He says: “You must do no medium, except your own tribute to local media.” MPs are encouraged to cancel any of their own events during the state funeral. Another shadow minister questioned the “ridiculous omerta” of talking about political issues, and several MPs broke cover to question the arrests of pro-democracy protesters and talk about the inflation figures. One MP said they were disappointed by the “enforced radio silence” especially regarding the arrests of protesters. “For Sky News to outdo Labor on this issue is not a good look,” they said. Labor sources stressed that the advice given to MPs was guidance on handling the media and played down any prospect of MPs being disciplined for speaking out on other issues – depending on the severity of the circumstances. The source said most MPs were understanding about the request to suspend political campaigning and no direct complaints had been made to Keir Starmer’s team. Starmer said on Wednesday that those wishing to protest against the monarchy should respect people mourning the Queen and not spoil their opportunity to express their personal thanks. The Labor leader told BBC Breakfast that the right to protest and dissent was a British tradition, but called for it to be done “in a spirit of respect”. Start your day with the top stories from the US, plus the day’s must-reads from across the Guardian Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “Respect the fact that hundreds of thousands of people want to come forward and live this moment. Don’t ruin it for them,” he said. “I think if people have spent a long time waiting to come forward to have that moment as the casket goes by or whatever it may be, I think you should respect that, because people have made a huge effort to come and have this personal moment to say thank you to Queen Elizabeth II.” Starmer told BBC Breakfast: “Today, I will be there as part of the reception committee to receive the coffin. Then later this afternoon in a private capacity because my wife and our children… want to come and as a family we will pay our personal respects to a worthy sovereign.” He also spoke of how the country’s response to the Queen’s death had been “very moving”. “It’s a very human feeling, I think, where people just want to come, have that private moment where they say thank you to a remarkable sovereign,” Starmer said. “I think it was very emotional across the country. It was an incredible moment where so many people came together.”
