U.K. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow said the move by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to temporarily suspend Parliament “represents a constitutional outrage.”
In comments on Wednesday, Johnson confirmed earlier reports that he would hold the Queen’s Speech — normally a formality that outlines the legislative agenda — on Oct. 14. Since Parliament is normally suspended before the speech, the decision means opposition lawmakers would be unlikely to have enough time to pass laws blocking the U.K.’s exit from the European Union on Oct. 31 without a negotiated deal.
He says a central feature of the legislative program will be the introduction of a bill to leave the European Union and “to secure its passage before 31 October.” Bercow says he was not told in advance of Johnson’s decision. He says “it is blindingly obvious” that the purpose of the suspension “would be to stop Parliament debating Brexit and performing its duty in shaping a course for the country.”
He adds that “shutting down Parliament would be an offense against the democratic process and the rights of Parliamentarians as the people’s elected representatives.”
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