SWINDON MPs criticised the opposition’s protests against the suspension of Parliament - but Labour say the vocal outcry was justified.

Hundreds of MPs loudly refused Black Rod’s ceremonial request to leave the House of Commons so that Parliament could be prorogued for five weeks. Instead, they stayed in their seats booing and shouting ‘Shame on you’ as their government colleagues left the building.

Justice secretary and South Swindon MP Robert Buckland said: “The scenes orchestrated by Labour and other opposition parties were a disgrace.

“The prime minister has urged the House of Commons to trust the people but once again Labour thinks they know better.

“Not only has Labour refused to choose the way ahead, they have now twice denied the British people their say in an election. The House cannot choose but it will not let anyone else choose either.

“I hope Labour will use the next few weeks before the state opening of Parliament to reflect. Meanwhile, I am proud to be part of prime minister Johnson’s government, which will press on with negotiating a deal while preparing to leave without one if necessary.”

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said: “The scenes were shameful. The once-proud Labour Party has descended into a hard-left anarchist Marxist rabble.

“Under Corbyn, alongside the SNP, they want to squabble and protest as they demand the government’s removal while also blocking an election.

“Instead, they prefer attention seeking, pantomime, stage-managed protests while running scared of an election. The public expect better.”

The opposition argued that the lengthy suspension of Parliament was unjust and that Parliament was being silenced.

Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for south Swindon Sarah Church said: “I agree with protestors that proroguing Parliament now is not the best thing for our country.

"If we are to believe the prime minister, and I don't really, he will be busy negotiating a wonderful new Brexit deal for us prior to the current date of October 31.

"He should be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny throughout the entire period between now and then to ensure our interests are upheld.

"He's ducked that scrutiny in a desperate attempt to force his no-deal disaster agenda through."

Speaker John Bercow told the House: “This is not a standard or normal prorogation. It is one of the longest for decades and it represents, not just in the minds of many colleagues but huge numbers of people outside, an act of executive fiat [an arbitrary order].

“I completely understand why very large numbers of members are much more comfortable staying where they are.”

Earlier in the session, Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed in his second bid to call a general election because many MPs abstained or voted against the proposal.

Parliament will resume its usual business on Monday October 14.