Mocked Welsh Tory MP goes viral for Union Jack mask and tie combo
A Welsh Tory MP has been mocked for wearing a Union Jack tie and mask combination in the House of Commons.
Jamie Wallis, who represents Bridgend, went viral because of his choice of clothing during a debate in which he complained about a lack of Union Jacks in the Senedd
He asked the UK Government’s Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden for his response to the Llywydd telling Senedd members to stop displaying flags of any kind when joining debates on video call.
The actor and director David Schneider a shared a photo of Wallis wearing his British flag attire, and sarcastically described him as a “perfectly normal MP”.
The author and journalist Andrew Scott, who goes by the pen name of Otto English said he “genuinely” felt “sorry” for Wallis because his life was “defined by imagined status, empty gestures and naff flags”.
Elin Jones imposed the order in the Senedd after Tory MSs Janet Finch-Saunders and Laura Anne Jones displayed the British banner.
She said that she’d noticed a “proliferation of flag flying” and even jokingly threatened to fly the flag of the “Independent Tropical Republic of Ceredigion” if it continued.
This move displeased Wallis who insisted people “across Wales are proud” to fly the Union Jack.
He also hit out at a reference by First Minister Mark Drakeford for a reference to the “vacuous symbolism” of “tea-towel waving Tories”.
‘Sovereign’
Dowden responded by claiming that the Union Jack “unites us as a nation” because it “embodies the emblems of four or three countries united under one sovereign”.
Wallis’ sartorial choice led to mockery on social media after photos of the debate in the House of Commons emerged.
A perfectly normal MP in a perfectly normal country. Perfectly normal. pic.twitter.com/Fiijt9GBCX
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) July 1, 2021
Tracey Jones said: “Hahaha. What on earth is that first one wearing? Oh they think they speak for Wales.”
I actually, quite genuinely, feel sorry for James Wallis. A life defined by imagined status, empty gestures and naff flags. What a way to spend your brief time on this Earth. pic.twitter.com/uu1ruj001w
— Otto English (@Otto_English) July 1, 2021
On the quality of the debate, former Welsh Government minister, Alun Davies said: “What is most striking to me is how inarticulate they both appear. Neither is able to speak clearly without notes and neither seems able to read those notes with any coherence either.”
My God. There’s a never-ending supply of them. https://t.co/3JrE3Bm8EK
— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) July 1, 2021
Tom Holland said: “That was painful to watch for a few reasons”.
Tory MP Jamie Wallis, makes you proud 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Zce69MGzcD
— Graham Simpson (@grahambsi) July 1, 2021
‘Welsh Parliament’
During the debate in the House of Commons, Wallis said: “I want to draw my right honourable friend’s attention to the issue of displaying the Union flag in the Welsh Parliament.
“As many will know, the presiding officer of the Senedd banned the displaying of the Union flag by Conservative members last week, and yesterday the First Minister Mark Drakeford described them as ‘vacuous symbolism by tea-towel [waving] Tories of 2021’.
“Does my right honourable friend agree with me that people across Wales are proud to display the Union Jack because their pride in their country they live in and of what the UK stands for.”
The Culture Secretary said: “Well of course I share my honourable friend’s pride in the Union flag.
“Of course it unites us as a nation, and a people, and as he well knows the Union flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom and it is so called because it embodies the emblems of four or three countries united under one sovereign.
“The kingdoms of England, Wales, of Scotland and of course of Northern Ireland. I do think it’s quite extraordinary that the First Minister should describe it as vacuous symbolism by tea towel Tories, it really does show how out of touch he is with the people of Wales and the Labour Party is with the wider United Kingdom.”
Conservative MP Jamie Wallis is asking Oliver Dowden a question about the importance of flying the union flag while wearing a union flag tie. Peak 2021. pic.twitter.com/QrtZdmsKzl
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) July 1, 2021
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Wales is not represented on the UK flag though, so how does it unite us?
Wales doesn’t exist. This ground is just another region of England and is represented by the big fat St George’s cross in the middle of our flag of the union.
Did I write “fat”? I do apologise: I meant of course, to write “pimp”.
How on earth the people of Bridgend voted for this moronic ex-pimp is puzzling to say the least
Mostly to do with the dire range of candidates on the ballot paper. Also this tw*t made the effort to go round the streets knocking doors and introducing himself. Sufficient to impress some people that he at least was for real. Down my end no one, not one soul that I know, ever saw a Plaid rep. Disgusting. So no surprise that this oaf got the job.
There he is the “sugar daddy” lets not forget his seedy vile past, a stereotypical tory,
Lest we forget.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-51121235
John Bull****.
Where can I buy a “butcher’s apron” apron?
Maybe they’ve been turned into butcher’s tea towels? 😉😂
Why does the Tory party always seem to promote these sort of people? Talk about dodgy! If you are going to push Unionism onto us at least use someone with a bit more credibility ! lol !
People of Bridgend. Are you proud of the representative you voted in? This sphincter covered gelatinous pimp? The Fresh Prince of Bell End (sorry … Bridge End)