Suspending parliament: What prorogation means as Boris Johnson puts plans into action

The Queen has approved an order to prorogue Parliament, which will effectively suspend it for a month.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his move to prorogue Parliament was simply to set out his “exciting agenda” in a Queen’s Speech on October 14.

But critics, including Commons Speaker John Bercow, have lambasted the move, calling it a “constitutional outrage” designed to stop MPs from intervening as the UK heads towards a no-deal Brexit on October 31.

Here are some of the key questions and answers triggered by Wednesday’s move:

What does prorogation mean?

Prorogation marks the end of a parliamentary session. The current session, which started on June 21, 2017 with the last State Opening and Queen’s Speech, has been the longest in history.

Who does it?

The Queen formally prorogues Parliament following guidance from the Privy Council, which is her body of advisers made up mainly of senior politicians.

Why does Boris Johnson want to prorogue Parliament now?

A new Government brings with it new plans and legislation which are set out in a Queen’s Speech. Mr Johnson insists he asked the Queen to end the current session of Parliament so he can start anew.

What happens during prorogation?

While Parliament is prorogued, MPs and peers cannot formally debate policy and legislation or make any laws of their own.

Parliamentary scrutiny is suspended and the powers of the Houses of Commons and Lords are effectively taken away until the next Queen’s Speech.

The Prime Minister has asked the Queen to suspend (prorogue) Parliament in the 2nd sitting week of September.

How does #proroguing Parliament work? And what are the consequences? Our recent briefing explains what you need to know https://t.co/fFilJGQUCy #prorogation

— Commons Library (@commonslibrary) August 28, 2019

How long will Parliament be prorogued for?

Prorogation normally tends to be for a short amount of time – no longer than two weeks, with it leading to either a general election or the start of a new Parliamentary session.

Under the new plan, Parliament will be dissolved no earlier than September 9 and no later than September 12, until the Queen’s Speech on October 14.

Parliament had been due to break for its conference recess for at least two weeks in the lead up to October, even before the news of the prorogation broke, with Number 10 arguing that MPs are only losing an extra four sitting days in total.

Mr Johnson said there would still be “ample time” for MPs to debate Brexit in the second half of October.

So why has the move sparked such anger?

There have been fears for a number of months that, should the Government not be able to strike an exit deal with the European Union, the Prime Minister could look to prorogue Parliament to prevent MPs from attempting to stop the UK leaving without a deal.

Critics believe this is what he is doing now. Senior opposition figures and Tory opponents of a no-deal Brexit met on Tuesday to draw up plans to stop the UK crashing out of the EU without an agreement. A day later the PM has effectively moved to curtail their time to draw-up legislation that would prevent Britain from exiting without a Withdrawal Agreement signed-off.

So could a snap general election still be on the cards?

Commentators saw the surprise announcement that Chancellor Sajid Javid will set out Whitehall spending budgets next week as a sign that the new administration was ramping up plans for an early election.

But inviting the monarch to Parliament for the pomp and ceremony of the Queen’s Speech on October 14 would be an odd thing to do if the PM is actually planning a snap election.

However, if opposition and rebel Tory MPs unite behind a no-confidence motion against the Government in retaliation against the plans to prorogue, that could force Parliament into a stalemate where a general election is the only resolution.

---

What politicians said about Boris Johnson’s plan to prorogue Parliament

Figures from across the political spectrum have been reacting to the news that Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to prorogue Parliament next month.

The Houses of Commons and Lords could be dissolved as soon as Tuesday September 10 after Mr Johnson, who became Conservative Party leader and PM in July, said a Queen’s Speech was required for him to pursue his domestic agenda.

He has written to MPs informing them that he has asked the monarch to give the next Queen’s Speech, detailing his Government’s intentions, on October 14.

But critics say he has no mandate, having not been elected by the general public, to set out such long-term plans, and fear he could use prorogation to scupper attempts to prevent Britain leaving the European Union without a deal.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

“Bring it on. Have the courage of your convictions, Boris Johnson. Call an election now – with polling day before October 31 – and let the people vote. Or are you frit?” Scotland’s First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.

“I have had no contact from the Government, but if the reports that it is seeking to prorogue Parliament are confirmed, this move represents a constitutional outrage” – Commons Speaker John Bercow.

“I am appalled at the recklessness of Johnson’s Government, which talks about sovereignty and yet is seeking to suspend Parliament to avoid scrutiny of its plans for a reckless no-deal Brexit. This is an outrage and a threat to our democracy” – Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

“Proroguing Parliament, which happens most autumns, is ‘a constitutional outrage’ – according to the very same people who only a few days ago were trying to impose Ken Clarke as PM” – Johnson ally Zac Goldsmith, Conservative MP for Richmond.

“The Government’s announcement today makes a confidence motion now certain, a general election more likely and is seen as a positive move by Brexiteers. The unanswered question is whether Boris Johnson intends to pursue the Withdrawal Agreement” – Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage.

“It would be a constitutional outrage if Parliament were prevented from holding the Government to account at a time of national crisis. Profoundly undemocratic” – Phillip Hammond, former chancellor of the Exchequer.

“This has been the longest parliamentary session since the Union of England and Scotland in 1707. We welcome the decision to hold a Queen’s Speech marking the start of a new session of Parliament on October 14 where the Government will set out its new domestic legislative agenda. This will be an opportunity to ensure our priorities align with those of the Government” – Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.

“Hopefully Tory MPs who thought they could ‘wait and see’ can now see plainly that they need to get behind the legislative plan discussed by opposition leaders yesterday. Fast. Or play along with Johnson destroying parliamentary democracy while pretending to ‘take back control’” Alastair Campbell, former Labour spin doctor and second referendum campaigner.