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Lewis Goodall is joined by newly-appointed SNP MP Lara Bird, who has made a stir this week for crossing her fingers while pledging allegiance to the King during her being sworn in as an MP alongside Andy Burnham. Bird also addresses controversy around her accent changing between English and Scottish, which has raised some eyebrows this week. Listen to the full show on the all-new LBC App: https://app.af.lbc.co.uk/btnc/thenewlbcapp #lewisgoodall #snp #LBC #uknews #ukpolitics LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK. Join in the conversation and listen at https://www.lbc.co.uk/ Sign up to LBC’s weekly newsletter here: https://l-bc.co/signup
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0:00
Bit of a moment in a parliamentary week, obviously with Andy Burnham coming down to Westminster from Manchester
0:04
But he wasn't the only MP making their way to Westminster this week, newly elected after that by-election night
0:10
what, a couple of Thursdays ago, or now, one Thursday or so ago now. We also had the new SMP, MP for our growth in Brookley Ferry, Lara Bird
0:20
who created a little bit of controversy of her own, somehow managed to actually get attention in the maelstrom of the Burnham episode
0:28
which is actually quite something when you think about it. And that was partly because she decided to take her oath to Charles III
0:34
MPs have to say that they swear their allegiance to the king and their successes, etc., etc
0:40
She did so with her fingers crossed. And she's joining us on the show now
0:43
Lara Bird, thanks so much for joining us this morning. And congratulations, of course, on your election
0:47
Must have been an astonishing moment in all sorts of ways. Let's just get straight to it
0:52
Why did you cross your fingers when you were pledging allegiance to the king? Good morning, those. It's lovely to chat to you
0:57
So I crossed my fingers because I wanted to take that oath in a way that made it clear that my allegiance and loyalty was to my constituents and the people that had put me in Westminster and had put me in that position to represent them
1:12
And so I wanted to take that oath and I wanted to do it in a way that made it clear to them that they will always be my priority
1:21
Can it not be both? I mean, I would imagine most MPs, when they take the oath, would say that they have their allegiance to their constituents, but they also don't mind pledging allegiance to the sovereign. Why not? Why not both? Why perform about it
1:32
It wasn't a question of one or the other. As I said, it was more than happy to take the oath. And SNP MPs have done a similar thing for many years. In fact, I think it was a Labour MP who first crossed their fingers, you know, way back when
1:49
So this isn't a new thing. I'm sure I won't be the last person to do it as well
1:54
And in no way, to me, took away from the importance of the oath that I was swearing, because I understand that that is something I had to do and I was more than happy to do it
2:04
I just wanted to do it in my own way. Do you understand why it irritated some people
2:10
Do you understand why some people, some of your constituents who will be ardent monarchists and, you know, the SNP, as far as I'm aware, still believes in the union of the crowns, even though you believe in the dissolution of the union of the parliaments
2:22
Why do that? You understand some of your constituents will be monarchists and you just seems like you're just trying to not just cross your fingers, but stick two fingers up to them
2:29
Of course I do, but I stand by it and I would do it again
2:35
And actually what I've heard from my constituents is that they're proud of the way that I took my oath
2:41
and they're happy about the fact that I did so standing up for them
2:46
You do it again, despite the controversy it's caused and the fact it's irritated so many people
2:50
Well, maybe because it's irritated so many people. No, not at all, because it's irritated so many people
2:55
Well, I'm a Scottish nationalist, a proud Scottish nationalist, and I'm here to represent the SNP
3:02
You know, I don't think that this is the last time I'll be upsetting people in Westminster
3:07
That's part of what we've come here to do as SNP MP. The SNP is pro-monarchy, isn't it
3:14
Whether I believe in the monarchy or not is less important in this conversation
3:18
I think the important thing here is how shocked some people in Westminster seem to be that I wanted to make it clear in my first day that my allegiance was to my constituents But the SNP is pro It still believes in the union of the crowns
3:33
Yeah. And, you know, we had the opening of Parliament up in Scotland this weekend. And
3:39
like I said, I have absolutely no issue with taking that oath at all
3:43
Would you like, let's imagine you achieve your ultimate political aim, which is, of course
3:47
Scottish independence would you like Charles III or William V as you may be then to be the head of
3:52
state in Scotland or would you like someone else I think that would be a decision for the people
3:57
of Scotland what would you like to be honest it's not something I've thought about at the moment and
4:03
I would be willing to have that conversation with my constituents and with people in Scotland I bet
4:07
you have thought about it Laura I don't think my impression is I don't think you do think that the
4:11
Windsors should be the head of state in Scotland which is a perfectly respectable view by the way
4:15
Completely fine. But why not just say it? Clearly, you're not a monarchist. You're a Republican
4:21
Well, yeah. And if you wanted to put a title on it, I would describe myself as a Republican
4:27
But at the moment, I understand the situation that we're in. And I completely agree with you that there is a history there and there is an importance of that monarchy
4:36
And I respect that as well. Do you understand why some people, I'm not saying this is an accusation that's been made
4:43
Do you understand why some people just felt that, frankly, it reeked of a bit of immaturity
4:48
Like, why do that? You've come down to Parliament. You've got this amazing moment. You've been elected by your constituents and you just decide to make your mark by basically being what, as I say, some people could argue
4:59
insulting to the monarchy, but also insulting to all of your constituents who believe in the monarchy
5:04
I think you have to look at the fact that we're in a week where there's so much going on in politics
5:10
We've got an ongoing leadership debate within the Labour Party. We've got issues that are really affecting my constituents, whether that's energy bills going up
5:18
We've got, you know, the defence investment plan, which is not being released and has caused a lot of controversy in itself
5:23
And I don't think that there would have been as much attention on the way that I took the oath if it wasn't for the fact that Andy Burnett was also being sworn in, excuse me, on the same day
5:32
So I wasn't trying to cause, you know, as much attention as I said. Really
5:37
Really, Lewis, I was going in to make the oath so that I could do my job for my constituents
5:44
which is what I've been doing. And this week, most of my attention has been on getting my office set up, starting to do
5:50
casework, speaking to different organizations in my constituency, and making sure that I'm
5:56
in the best possible position to do my job for them, which is to represent them here in Westminster
6:02
And that's what my focus has been on this week. nonetheless, whether you intended to or not
6:07
it has created a lot of attention around you. And I know you've, I think it's fair to say
6:12
you've been on the receipt of some very, very sharp criticism over the course of the week about all sorts of things
6:17
not just about what you did there, but also about, you know, what you were wearing
6:22
how you were speaking, all of these sorts of things. What has that introduction to politics been like
6:27
as a young woman coming into Parliament? Yeah, well, look, I chose to come into public life
6:33
And so when you do that, you expect a certain level of scrutiny and a certain level of attention
6:39
And a lot of what has happened over the last week, I can laugh off
6:43
And and that absolutely fine I not going to let it stop me doing the job that I was sent here to do which is to represent my constituents in a job that I take incredibly seriously and I very proud to do
6:56
But I think what this demonstrates is the the way in which the political system is set up
7:03
And what does this say about who we want to attract into politics? You know, I've had more comments this week about the shoes that I was wearing or the jewellery that I was wearing
7:13
And I've not even made a political contribution in the chamber yet
7:17
So can you imagine what people are going to say when I do start talking about things I want to talk about, which might upset them more
7:24
And I don't think that this is a particularly good demonstration of wanting to attract people from different backgrounds, different ages, different genders into politics, which I think is really important
7:36
And I think that's something we really need to do. Because to be clear, because not everyone, you know, and they should probably be grateful for this
7:43
Not everyone spends all their time on X. But on social media and X in particular, you were receiving some real opprobrium, I would say
7:51
basically for what you were wearing and the clothes that you were wearing
7:55
What was your response to that? Did that take you by surprise? I was surprised at the amount of attention it's got and the amount of commentary
8:07
it has generated. But it's not just about me, really. I think that you have to look at the fact
8:14
that politicians are constantly criticised for the way that they speak, what they wear
8:20
how they choose to present themselves. Come on, Lara. I mean, look, let's be honest
8:24
No one's going to say those sort of things about a male politician, right? And even when we saw, for example
8:29
Dominic Cummings used to walk into Downing Street in a hoodie, no one would say about that
8:33
Boris Johnson used to come out looking like he basically got dressed around the back of the bins in the morning
8:37
No one said anything about that. But because you were where people were talking about, you know, the skirt you were wearing, all that
8:41
That's only going to happen to a young woman in politics. Yeah, I think you're right, Lewis. I don't think anybody would be writing entire articles about what it was that Boris Johnson was wearing
8:49
Actually, maybe they might. But maybe that was a more specific example. But yes, I've had a lot of commentary specifically about what I was wearing and the way that I look
8:57
And I don't think that that would happen to my male colleagues. I know it is something that other female colleagues in the House of Parliament have experienced
9:05
I'm not the first person to be criticised by the media about the way that I look and what I wear
9:10
And I think that is probably especially acute because I'm a young woman
9:15
But, you know, I'm I can handle this and I'm, you know, I'm not going to let it get in my way
9:22
It's not pleasant. It's not nice. And I don't think that it is a good demonstration of the way that the media runs around politicians
9:31
And what I am more concerned about is how this impacts other young women who might want to come into politics
9:37
And I've got, you know, young activists and young women in my constituency who I think are fantastic advocates for the SNP and for Scotland, who I would love to see coming into politics
9:48
But I can understand why people at the moment, especially young women, would be really worried to do so because of the level and the nature and the way in which, you know, the media and people on Twitter will talk about how you look
10:02
And not just how you look, but even, dare I say it, how you sound
10:06
I mean, something that's been doing the rounds. I mean you had a lot of people digging into you know what you been up to over your professional life finding clips of you And it is true to say and I sort of hesitate to ask about it but I think you know it fair enough I think maybe for you to address it These people suggesting that you know
10:20
your Scottish accent is affected because there are clips, which I have seen, where you do sound not Scottish
10:25
On the 5th of August, Israel bombed an UNRWA clinic in Gaza City
10:30
On the 6th of August, Israel confirmed the plan to expand 3,400 new settlements in area E1 in the West Bank
10:37
which effectively formalises the annexation of this part of Palestine to Israel
10:43
and undermines completely the process of a two-state solution and Palestinian state
10:49
Just wondered if you would address that. I mean, do you slip in and out depending on whether you're in England or you're in Scotland
10:55
I mean, do you do it for other countries, Ireland, French, German, who knows? Do you know, it's funny you say that
11:00
I did once meet a group of Swedish people and suddenly I could hear my accent changing
11:06
and having a Swedish law, which was very strange. A hell of a party treat you got there, Lara. I know, it is, isn't it
11:12
Love to see you in Curacao. It's something that has happened my whole life
11:17
You know, my dad is Scottish and I grew up in Scotland, but my mum is English and I have an English side of my family as well
11:23
And I studied in London for a few years and lived here too
11:28
So it's not something I've ever been shy about. It's not something I've ever declined to speak about
11:33
In fact, during my campaign, I did an interview with a local journalist where we discussed my background and my accent
11:39
And so the idea that it's something that I've tried to hide, I think, is, you know, is not true at all
11:45
And I don't think that I'm, it's particularly unusual. You know, in Scotland, we have such a wonderful variety of accents and dialects and languages
11:56
But do people slip? I totally hear you. And look, I lost my Brummie accent when I was, you know, went to universities
12:01
I'm the first to say and I'm a bit ashamed of that. But at the same time, like I don't tend to slip or people don't tend to slip so dramatically
12:08
You understand why people might find it a bit weird, a bit odd? In a way, yes
12:14
But I don't really agree that it's as, you know, as dramatic or as unusual as people are making out
12:22
I know lots of people that, you know, change their accent slightly depending on who they're talking to
12:27
and what I'm really clear about and what is important to me is that you know this doesn't
12:32
make me any less Scottish because I don't have a broad Dondonian accent or I don't speak
12:37
Doric you know there are people in Scotland that have a variety of accents and whose accents change
12:41
because of their upbringing and I wouldn't want anyone in Scotland to feel like they're any less
12:45
Scottish because of the way that they sound you know I don't think that you're any less Brummie because you might have lost your accent a little bit so it's been quite an interesting
12:53
Oh, we can come back. Downs for the early, come back straight away. But to be clear
12:57
you're not putting the Scottish accent on. No, no, not at all. Lara Bird there
13:02
SMP MP for our growth in Brock T. Ferry. And I'm sure we'll be hearing much more from her
13:06
in the years to come in Westminster. We want to continue that conversation about devolution
13:11
I've got quite a lot of sympathy there for Lara Bird on the accent front. I think it is true. People do slip sometimes between these things
13:17
depending on where they are. But it has generated a lot of controversy online. and I do think
13:22
look as I put to her there I thought that maybe the crossing the fingers
13:25
might have been a bit on the stupid side or on the immature side but the the opprobrium
13:30
she's got this week has been nothing short I think for what she is wearing and all that stuff
13:34
has not shown Westminster or the media in a great light a lot of it seems to me to be
13:37
deeply misogynistic
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