Boris Johnson will seek an extended suspension of Parliament ahead of a Queen's Speech on October 14 in a move which would hamper efforts by MPs to thwart a no-deal Brexit.
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Reports suggested a plan to hold the Queen's Speech on October 14, will be confirmed by the Privy Council at Balmoral today.
The Prime Minister will seek to suspend Parliament from around September 11 until the Queen’s Speech – a process known as prorogation.
Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "So it seems that Boris Johnson may actually be about to shut down Parliament to force through a no deal Brexit. Unless MPs come together to stop him next week, today will go down in history as a dark one indeed for UK democracy."
READ MORE: Andrew McKie: There is no chance of stopping a no deal Brexit
In response to the report, Independent Group for Change MP Chris Leslie wrote on Twitter: "If true, this undemocratic manoeuvre to try and shut down Parliament must be fought every step of the way.
So it seems that Boris Johnson may actually be about to shut down Parliament to force through a no deal Brexit. Unless MPs come together to stop him next week, today will go down in history as a dark one indeed for UK democracy. https://t.co/68lFnEgiyr
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) August 28, 2019
"How totally underhanded of Boris Johnson to make the Queen sign off on this plot it in a secret ceremony up in Balmoral. The House of Commons must assemble and veto this."
The First Minister also called for Ruth Davidson and Scottish Conservative MPs to back the cross-party effort to oppose a Parliament shut down.
Given her past statements opposing a no deal Brexit, it would be good to have confirmation from Ruth Davidson today that all Scots Tory MPs will back the cross party effort next week to stop it - and that they will also oppose Boris Johnson’s attempt to shut down Parliament.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) August 28, 2019
After it was reported that the Government could suspend Parliament from mid-September, Conservative Party chairman James Cleverly tweeted: "Or to put it another way: Government to hold a Queen's Speech, just as all new Governments do."
Or to put it another way:
— James Cleverly MP (@JamesCleverly) August 28, 2019
Government to hold a Queen’s Speech, just as all new Governments do. https://t.co/fgKSmLdOzb
Labour Deputy leader Tom Watson posted: “We do not have a “new government.” This action is an utterly scandalous affront to our democracy. We cannot let this happen.”
The speculation prompted former Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston, now of the Liberal Democrats, to urge ministers and other Tory parliamentarians to stand down in protest.
This is not “taking back control” it’s certainly not respecting/restoring Parliamentary Sovereignty. Rather it’s an executive seeking to abuse one of its (perfectly proper) powers https://t.co/7aknqPthbc
— Simon Hoare Esq., MP (@Simon4NDorset) August 28, 2019
“Johnson behaving like a tin pot dictator. Time for ministers to resign & Conservative MPs to cross the floor rather than be tainted with this outrage,” she tweeted.
The Queen has been urged not to grant the “deeply undemocratic” political manoeuvre to prorogue Parliament.
Best for Britain Chief Executive Naomi Smith said: “It would make no sense for the Queen to back this deeply undemocratic, unconstitutional and fundamentally political manoeuvre from the government.”
And in a warning to Her Majesty, she added: “If the Queen is asked to help, she would do well to remember history doesn’t look too kindly on royals who aid and abet the suspension of democracy.”
Senior Labour MP Yvette Cooper said: “Boris Johnson is trying to use the Queen to concentrate power in his own hands – this is a deeply dangerous and irresponsible way to govern.”
And fellow Labour former cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw said: “This would be a coup, plain and simple, against our parliamentary democracy and drag the monarch into an unprecedented constitutional crisis.”
Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson, who was one of the MPs at a meeting with Mr Corbyn on Tuesday to agree tactics to prevent a no-deal Brexit, said the Prime Minister was embarking on a “dangerous and unacceptable course of action”.
She said: “Shutting down Parliament would be an act of cowardice from Boris Johnson.
“He knows the people would not choose a no deal and that elected representatives wouldn’t allow it. He is trying to stifle their voices.”
Lib Dem MP Sarah Wollaston – a former Tory – said: “Johnson behaving like a tin pot dictator.
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