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Boris Johnson announces suspension of UK parliament

The move would reduce the amount of time MPs have to try to block a no-deal Brexit.

By EMILIO CASALICCHIO

Boris Johnson announced he will suspend parliament for almost a month ahead of the October 31 Brexit date.

In a letter to all Conservative MPs, he said he has asked the queen to end the current session during the second week of September, before reopening it on October 14.

Johnson said the reason is that he wants to present a new legislative agenda to the country in a queen’s speech. He reassured MPs that parliament will still have “ample time” to debate Brexit.

However, critics argued the move is an attempt to hinder MPs trying to block a no-deal Brexit.

In his letter, Johnson said the current two-year parliamentary session has “at times seemed more about filling time.” He added: “I therefore intend to bring forward a new bold and ambitious domestic legislative agenda for the renewal of our country after Brexit. There will be a significant Brexit legislative programme to get through but that should be no excuse for a lack of ambition!”

He said it is right that MPs get to express their view about his plans before and after the European Council summit starting on October 17 — with votes on the queen’s speech penciled in for October 21 and 22.

Downing Street said a Withdrawal Agreement Bill would be a “central feature” of the legislative program, assuming Johnson brokers a Brexit deal with Brussels.

Former Chancellor Philip Hammond, who has vowed to block a no-deal Brexit, said on Twitter: “It would be a constitutional outrage if Parliament were prevented from holding the government to account at a time of national crisis. Profoundly undemocratic.”

Tory MP Dominic Grieve, who has been central to the plots to prevent a no-deal, said suspending parliament would be “outrageous.”

“If the prime minister persists with this and doesn't back off, then I think the chances are that his administration will collapse,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“There is plenty of time to do that if necessary [and] I will certainly vote to bring down a Conservative government that persists in a course of action which is so unconstitutional.”

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, who has been vocal in defending the independence and rights of parliament, also weighed in, calling the move a "constitutional outrage."

"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."

Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party, said:“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.”

One constitutional expert told POLITICO that MPs could still try to legislate to stop a no-deal Brexit when parliament returns from its summer break next week, but would struggle in such a short space of time.

Johnson defended the move in a pooled clip for broadcasters. He said claims the suspension is an “insult to democracy” are “completely untrue.”

“We’re bringing forward a new legislative program on crime, on hospitals, making sure that we have the education funding that we need,” he said.

“And there will be ample time on both sides of that crucial October 17 summit, ample time in parliament for MPs to debate the EU, to debate Brexit and all the other issues.”

MPs usually have a three-week break during September to hold party conferences, but there had been speculation that this conference recess would be scrapped this year to give extra time to debate Brexit.