Queen consents to Parliamentary suspension

The Queen has approved Prime Minister Boris Johnson's bid to suspend Parliament just days after MPs return to work in September.

The move means that MPs, from all political parties, are unlikely to have time to pass laws to stop a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. It had previously been warned that suspension could provoke a vote of no confidence in Johnson.

Johnson said a Queen's Speech would take place after the suspension, on 14 October, to outline his ‘very exciting agenda’. He also refutes any rumours of plans to use the suspension to force through a No Deal Brexit, instead arguing that he did not want to wait until after Brexit ‘before getting on with our plans to take this country forward’.

When Parliament is prorogued, no debates and votes are held - and most laws that haven't completed their passage through Parliament die a death.

The move also reflects badly on Labour, the SNP, the Lib Dems and others in Parliament who have struggled to come together behind one clear strategy to try and avoid a no-deal Brexit.

The Prime Minister said: “We must focus on crucial public priorities - helping the NHS, fighting violent crime, investing in infrastructure and science and cutting the cost of living. We have made an important start – funding for 20,000 extra police officers and new investment in our NHS – but to deliver on the public’s priorities we require a new session and a Queen’s Speech.

“I believe it is vital that Parliament is sitting both before and after European Council and if, as I hope, a deal with the EU is forthcoming, Parliament will then have the opportunity to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill required for ratification ahead of 31 October.”

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow said it was a 'constitutional outrage', and is one of many voices across the political spectrum to express disbelief at the move.