Oxford University students were told off by education minister Gavin Williamson after they took down a portrait of the Queen.
It comes as some students believe the picture represents “recent colonial history”.
The Magdalen College Middle Common Room print was put up in 2013, but a democratic vote was reportedly held by postgraduate students to remove it.
In a tweet, Williamson said: “Oxford University students removing a picture of the Queen is simply absurd.
“She is the Head of State and a symbol of what is best about the UK. During her long reign she has worked tirelessly to promote British values of tolerance, inclusivity and respect around the world”.
Reactions
LBC’s James O’ Brien said: “Well said, champ. Now go and get the guys who lied to her and unlawfully prorogued Parliament.” Right-wing political website Guido Fawkes labelled the students “woke”, and right-wing tabloids the Daily Express and the Daily Mail went into meltdown over the move.
Piers Morgan said: “These woke lunatics are beyond parody.
“Can we vote to have Monarch-ordered Tower of London imprisonment powers restored for these insolent wastrels?”
Well said, champ. Now go & get the guys who lied to her & unlawfully prorogued Parliament. https://t.co/gIgoT4CeGl
— James O’Brien (@mrjamesob) June 9, 2021
FFS. These woke lunatics are beyond parody. Can we vote to have Monarch-ordered Tower of London imprisonment powers restored for these insolent wastrels? https://t.co/AfOHuaKnXy
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 8, 2021
One Twitter user said: “Williamson lives in Tory dreamland (everyone else’s nightmare).
“The UK is nothing like inclusive or tolerant, it never was. This Conservative government is not respected at home, less around the world.”
Alec Maguire said: “Weird, the enforced teaching of ‘British values’ at schools includes democracy. Where does a monarchy fit into that?”
Williamson lives in Tory dreamland (everyone else’s nightmare). The UK is nothing like inclusive or tolerant, it never was. This @conservatives gov is not respected at home, less around the world. Another stupid ridiculous comment from a poorly educated moron @GavinWilliamson https://t.co/QaxA6q9KN4
— kdlwvg (@kdlwvg) June 10, 2021
Weird, the enforced teaching of “British Values” at schools includes Democracy. Where does a monarchy fit into that? https://t.co/8eF9YyWxP5
— Alec Maguire (@alec94) June 10, 2021
“If Oxford wants that cash they’ll take the picture down. You seem to forget that foreigners power your powerful schools. You don’t have any sense Gavin,” another Twitter user said.
And Simon William Cree said: “Gavin is going to absolutely lose his shit when he goes round to other people’s houses now he can, finding out none of us have portraits of the Queen!”
Stories. If Oxford wants that cash they’ll take the f*cking picture down. You seem to forget that foreigners power your powerful schools. You don’t have any sense Gavin. https://t.co/eIcrfOJ1RY
— Unasleep (@Gunnermanz) June 10, 2021
Gavin is going to absolutely lose his shit when he goes round to other people’s houses now he can, finding out none of us have portraits of the Queen! https://t.co/B54h312M0y
— ????? ??????? ???? (@piratesprogress) June 9, 2021
Tom Grace said: “Calling this ‘absurd’ is one of the most absurd things I’ve read in a long sad history of an absurdist government.”
And Jude Seal chipped in: “This is the same Education Secretary who claims to be a champion of free speech complaining that students took a democratic vote.
“It appears he only approves of free speech and democracy when it benefits him or aligns with his views. Interesting.”
Calling this “absurd” is one of the most absurd things I’ve read in a long sad history of an absurdist government https://t.co/6TeytTO7q6
— Tom Grace (@TomGrace5) June 9, 2021
This is the same Education Secretary who claims to be a champion of free speech complaining that students took a democratic vote. It appears he only approves of free speech and democracy when it benefits him or aligns with his views. Interesting. https://t.co/zyHdQ5p5TH
— ⚫ Jude Seal (@JudeSeal) June 9, 2021
One Twitter user said: “Telling that you think living a life of huge wealth, privilege and status through an accident of birth rather than any personal merit or hard work represents what you think is best about the UK.”
“Did you know that Boris Johnnson set the Queen’s head on fire?, another user asked. “He burnt £50 notes in front of homeless people. For fun,” he added.
Telling that you think living a life of huge wealth, privilege and status through an accident of birth rather than any personal merit or hard work represents what you think is best about the UK. https://t.co/Yr4mIvNBky
— HiCo ? (@High_Command) June 9, 2021
Did you know that Boris Johnson set the queens head on fire ?
— SpanishDan ? ”FBPE (@SpanishDan1) June 9, 2021
He burnt £50 notes in front of homeless people .
For fun https://t.co/WkPGJs5BCU
“I’ll tell you what’s absurd…. Putting people through THREE lockdowns and then, delaying the end of restrictions due to your incompetence. Let’s start there,” one of the tweets read.
I’ll tell you what’s absurd…. Putting people through THREE lockdowns and then, delaying the end of restrictions due to your incompetence.
— WhoisElla (@TDM60975980) June 9, 2021
Let’s start there @GavinWilliamson https://t.co/q0bzbb5iUQ
Related: Daily Express goes into meltdown after Oxford students ‘cancel our Queen’