Oliver Cromwell's Speech on the Dissolution of the Long Parliament Given to the House of Commons 20 April 1653 "It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonoured by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of very vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; Ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money. Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; Gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth? Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of Thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; You Were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!" For more information on leadership, team development and manageemnt training visit our website. It is interesting that figures were released last week the fact that the number of students choosing to take History as a subject at GCSE and 'A' level are falling. However there are always important lessons to be learnt from history even in the 21st century. Here's an excellent example with Olver Cromwell's speech to Parliament just before it's dissolution in 1653. How prophetic the words are and relevant to the expenses scandal in which our MP's are now embroiled .
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