PM Boris Johnson’s controversial decision to prorogue (suspend) Parliament yesterday has prompted a furious backlash from politicians and opponents of a no-deal Brexit, who believe the move is both unconstitutional and undemocratic.
The government was given the Queen’s assent to suspend Parliament when MPs return to work next week, effectively meaning that they are unlikely to have time to stop the Prime Minister taking the UK out of the EU without a deal on 31 October.
Leader of the Opposition, Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, responded: “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.
“That is why Labour has been working across Parliament to hold this reckless government to account, and prevent a disastrous No Deal which parliament has already ruled out.
“If Johnson has confidence in his plans he should put them to the people in a general election or public vote.”
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow described PM Johnson’s move as a ‘constitutional outrage’, saying: “However it is dressed up, it is blindingly obvious that the purpose of prorogation now would be to stop parliament debating Brexit and performing its duty in shaping a course for the country.
“At this time, one of the most challenging periods in our nation’s history, it is vital that our elected parliament has its say. After all, we live in a parliamentary democracy.
“Shutting down parliament would be an offence against the democratic process and the rights of parliamentarians as the people’s elected representatives.
“Surely at this early stage in his premiership, the prime minister should be seeking to establish rather than undermine his democratic credentials and indeed his commitment to parliamentary democracy.”
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday was a dark day for democracy in the UK. She said: “Boris Johnson’s bid to shut down Parliament to force through a No-Deal Brexit is an outrageous assault on basic democratic principles.
“In doing so, he is acting no better than a tin-pot dictator – not the Prime Minister of what is still supposedly a parliamentary democracy. It is an outrageous bid to ram through an outcome that would do massive damage to jobs, investment and living standards across the whole of the UK.
“And, make no mistake, it is an attempt to force an outcome that no-one voted for. A No-Deal Brexit was not on the ballot paper in 2016.”
The leader of Britain and Ireland’s largest union, Unite accused prime minister Boris Johnson of a no deal Brexit coup. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “Boris Johnson’s plan to shut parliament is nothing short of a no deal Brexit coup which imperils the livelihoods of millions of workers and the future prosperity of communities across our nations.
“With the future of places such as Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant hanging by a thread, wrapping the suspension of parliament up with empty promises on education, police and the NHS is an insult to voters desperate for decent public services and a reversal of austerity.
“Johnson knows full well that a no deal Brexit will devastate our public finances and whole swathes of the economy. Have no doubt it will be Johnson and his friends in the wealthy elite who will be sitting pretty in the event of a catastrophic no deal Brexit, while working class communities pay the price.
“Whichever way people voted in the Brexit referendum, they did not vote for our democracy to be shut down and to lose their jobs. The prime minister should call a general election rather than silencing parliament to push through a disastrous no deal Brexit. I urge all sensible politicians from all parties to stand up and come together behind Jeremy Corbyn to block this no deal Brexit coup.”
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “This outrageous manoeuvre has been made to silence all opposition in the most dictatorial way. Our parliamentary democracy is the envy of the world, but it’s being stamped upon and disregarded by a Prime Minister who’s not gone near a public vote.”
“Boris Johnson is treating the future of the UK like the plot of a far-fetched political TV drama. The country must be asked for its view on Brexit right now. That’s the only way.”“He is setting a timebomb for the NHS. The promises of more cash for the health service made during the referendum were just empty words. No deal will instead leave the NHS gasping for breath, creating chaos for the hard-working staff and spelling potential disaster for patients.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is inflicting unnecessary economic damage on an already vulnerable UK economy, the CEO of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organisation warned yesterday.
Nigel Green, chief executive and founder of deVere Group, commented: “It could be argued that Boris Johnson’s decision to ask the Queen to suspend parliament, and therefore to prevent democratically elected representatives of the people doing their job, is deeply unconstitutional and has the hallmarks of a tin-pot dictator.
“However, it could also be argued that it is Mr Johnson fulfilling, one way or another, the will of the British people who voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum.
“It is likely to be a tactic to spook negotiators into making concessions to the Withdrawal Agreement. Whether it will work remains to be seen. It will almost certainly be challenged in the courts.”
He added: “What we do know for sure though is that this step will inflict further unnecessary economic damage on an already extremely vulnerable UK economy.
“Depressingly, recession is looming for Britain and Johnson’s highly controversial tactics seriously increase the uncertainty which will further drag on investment and trade.
“In addition, it will further batter the beleaguered pound, which reduces people’s purchasing power. Weaker sterling means imports are more expensive, with rising prices typically being passed on to consumers.”
Mr Green added: “The situation in the UK is deteriorating. As such individuals as well as businesses will, inevitably and quite sensibly, be looking to grow and safeguard their wealth by moving assets out of the UK through various established international financial solutions.
“Brexit has plunged Britain into an existential crisis that will last for generations.
“It has also already cost billions upon billions of pounds. Indeed, it has cost the UK economy a staggering £66bn in just under three years, according to S&P Global Ratings.
“But perhaps even worse is the haemorrhaging of opportunity and confidence in the UK that will continue far beyond the Halloween deadline.”
The deVere CEO concludes: “Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament will have far-reaching economic effects, many of which will not be known for years to come.
“Domestic and international investors in UK assets need to watch the situation carefully and ensure that their portfolios are best-positioned to deal with the growing uncertainties.”
An online petition launched yesterday has already attracted more than one million signatures.
In other political news …
The UK Government must provide clarity on the economic impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit to let the Scottish Government plan for the potential consequences, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has said.
During a meeting with Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rishi Sunak in London today, Mr Mackay will also seek a “cast-iron guarantee” that all EU funding lost to Scotland will be replaced in full by the UK Government.
Mr Mackay said: “With just weeks to go until we are due to leave the EU, we remain deeply concerned about the impact of a ‘no deal’ Brexit and the severe impact it threatens to have on our economy and jobs, as well as the loss of vital EU funding to Scotland.
“The actions of the UK Government in attempting to shut down Parliament to force through a ‘no-deal’ outcome means that the UK stands on the cusp of an economic crisis. I will be making absolutely clear to the Chief Secretary that the UK Government must stop pursuing a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
“As a responsible government we are continuing to do all we can to stop a ‘no deal’ Brexit. With a ‘no deal’ scenario looking increasingly more likely, it is essential that the UK Government sets out openly and honestly what the economic consequences will be to enable the Scottish Government to prepare for the additional pressures we may face.
“It’s also vital that the UK Government sets out what support they intend to make available for companies who may struggle to survive in a No Deal situation. The Scottish Government’s analysis shows 100,000 jobs could be at risk. If the UK Government is determined to take us out of the EU and cause this economic harm, then it must set out what it will do to mediate these impacts.
“I will also press the Chief Secretary to provide a cast-iron guarantee that all EU funding lost will be replaced by the UK Government in full, including supporting our farmers by matching all existing support available through the Common Agricultural Policy and finally passing on the £160 million of convergence funding that has been withheld from Scotland for no reason.”
Good luck with that, Derek …
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