In the name of God, go
"In the name of God, go" is a phrase in British politics, its use potentially dating from the era of the English Civil War.[1] The phrase may have been first used by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th Century.[2] The phrase originates from a speech allegedly spoken by Cromwell during the forced dissolution of the Rump Parliament in 1653. The most popular attribution of this speech is that Cromwell were to have spoken the words, "You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!". However, the attribution of the phrase may have been a later construct or a forgery,[3] as there is a lack of credible sources for the complete events of the Dissolution of the Rump Parliament in 1653.[4]. The phrase, and its attribution to Cromwell, has been in usage since at least 1769.[5] Despite the lack of sources, it has remained in the public consciousness and the phrase has become invariantly linked with the event.[3]
Notable Uses
- In April 1653, Oliver Cromwell said "In the name of God, go" to the Rump Parliament.[6]
- In the Norway Debate in May 1940, Leo Amery said "In the name of God, go" to Neville Chamberlain.[7][3] Amery used this phrase as a political construct to call back to its origins, by associating Neville Chamberlain with the Rump Parliament, which was associated with corruption.[8]
- The phrase was used on the 12th of May 2009 by The Telegraph to criticise members of parliament following the 2009 parliamentary expenses scandal[9][10], after the newspaper had acquired a leaked version of the expenses disclosure during the controversy.[11]
- On 18 May 2009, the phrase was utilised by The Sun as a headline, during its criticism of the Brown ministry and support of a general election.[12][13]
- In January 2022, David Davis said "In the name of God, go" to Boris Johnson[14], calling back to both previous uses of the phrase.
References
- ↑ ""In the Name of God, Go": The Enduring Significance of Cromwell's 1653 Quote". History Hit. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
- ↑ "In the name of God go, David Davis tells Boris Johnson". BBC News. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
- 1 2 3 Eales, Jackie (2023-06-27). "The Letters, Writings, and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell, Volume I, II and III review". History Today. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
- ↑ Abbott, Wilbur Cortez (1939). The Writings And Speeches Of Oliver Cromwell, Volume II. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. pp. 631–657.
- ↑ The Literary Register: Or, Weekly Miscellany, Volume 1. Newcastle. 1769. p. 238.
- ↑ "Oliver Cromwell Speech - Dissolution of The Long Parliament 1653". Britpolitics. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
- ↑ pixelstorm (1970-01-01). "'In the name of God, go!'". International Churchill Society. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
- ↑ "'Never ending war' and 'the enriching of Parliament-men': MPs and corruption in the 1640s - The History of Parliament". 2022-08-25. Retrieved 2026-08-08.
- ↑ Heffer, Simon (12 May 2009). "MPs' expenses: What Parliament needs now is the spirit of Cromwell". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Matthew Norman: All hail Heffer, the new Oliver Cromwell". The Independent. 2009-05-17. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "MPs' expenses: Full List of MPs investigated by the Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ Greenslade, Roy (2009-05-18). "The Sun moves a stage closer to backing David Cameron". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ "Fringe parties gain ground over expenses scandal". The Independent. 2009-05-18. Retrieved 2026-08-10.
- ↑ Wood, Poppy (2022-01-19). "The story behind David Davis's 'In the name of God, go' quote". The i Paper. Retrieved 2024-12-07.