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Prorogation: How can the government suspend Parliament? | Prorogation: How can the government suspend Parliament? |
(2 days later) | |
Parliament will be suspended just days after MPs return to work in September, after the Queen agreed to a request from Prime Minister Boris Johnson. | |
It means MPs will have less time to pass laws that could stop the UK leaving the European Union without a deal on 31 October. | |
That current exit date is written into law, so if nothing changes the UK will leave automatically - whether or not a deal has been reached. | |
Can the prime minister close Parliament? | Can the prime minister close Parliament? |
Yes, he can. | Yes, he can. |
The official term for shutting down Parliament is "proroguing". | The official term for shutting down Parliament is "proroguing". |
MPs do not vote to prorogue - it's a power that rests with the Queen, done on the advice of the prime minister. | MPs do not vote to prorogue - it's a power that rests with the Queen, done on the advice of the prime minister. |
So, it is within Mr Johnson's gift to ask the Queen to shut Parliament, dramatically reducing the influence of MPs. | |
With Parliament not sitting, MPs would not be able, for example, to hold a vote of no confidence in the government. | With Parliament not sitting, MPs would not be able, for example, to hold a vote of no confidence in the government. |
How is Parliament normally closed? | How is Parliament normally closed? |
Parliament is normally prorogued once a year for a short period - usually in April or May. | Parliament is normally prorogued once a year for a short period - usually in April or May. |
During this time, all business stops, so most laws that haven't completed their passage through Parliament die a death (although some may be "carried over" to the next session). | During this time, all business stops, so most laws that haven't completed their passage through Parliament die a death (although some may be "carried over" to the next session). |
MPs keep their seats and ministers remain in position - but no debates and votes are held in Parliament. | MPs keep their seats and ministers remain in position - but no debates and votes are held in Parliament. |
This is different to "dissolving" Parliament - where all MPs give up their seats to campaign in a general election. | This is different to "dissolving" Parliament - where all MPs give up their seats to campaign in a general election. |
It's also different to a recess - a break in the Parliamentary session - which was due to take place this year from roughly 13 September - 8 October. | |
So, in theory, prorogation only loses MPs up to seven parliamentary days. But, unlike recess dates which MPs get to approve, they will not be consulted. | |
It's normal for new governments to shut down Parliament, in order to hold a Queen's Speech, which sets out its plans for the next year or so. | |
The length of time varies - in 2016 Parliament was closed for four working days, while in 2014 it was closed for 13 days. | The length of time varies - in 2016 Parliament was closed for four working days, while in 2014 it was closed for 13 days. |
This year, Parliament would be suspended for about 23 working days before the new Queen's Speech on 14 October. | |
While prorogation is normal, the timing of it in this case is "clearly hugely controversial", says Maddy Thimont-Jack at the Institute for Government think tank. | While prorogation is normal, the timing of it in this case is "clearly hugely controversial", says Maddy Thimont-Jack at the Institute for Government think tank. |
Why is it controversial? | Why is it controversial? |
As well as reducing the influence of the elected Parliament in a major decision, it could also make planning for a no-deal Brexit harder. | As well as reducing the influence of the elected Parliament in a major decision, it could also make planning for a no-deal Brexit harder. |
That's because the prime minister - without a sitting Parliament - will not be able to pass laws to cushion the impact of no deal. Such laws, for example, might deal with allocating extra money or resources. | That's because the prime minister - without a sitting Parliament - will not be able to pass laws to cushion the impact of no deal. Such laws, for example, might deal with allocating extra money or resources. |
It also brought the Queen right into the Brexit dispute. Normally, a prime minister's request to the Queen to prorogue is extremely straightforward. In fact, the House of Commons Library says it has been a formality in the UK for more than a century. | It also brought the Queen right into the Brexit dispute. Normally, a prime minister's request to the Queen to prorogue is extremely straightforward. In fact, the House of Commons Library says it has been a formality in the UK for more than a century. |
The government has defended the decision, saying that proroguing Parliament to enable a Queen's Speech will allow the PM to address domestic policies like NHS funding | |
But opponents say it is undemocratic and undermines MPs' ability to prevent a no-deal Brexit. Tory backbencher Dominic Grieve called the move "an outrageous act". | |
Could it be stopped? | Could it be stopped? |
In response to Mr Johnson's decision to prorogue, the former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major announced he would use the courts to try and overturn it. | |
Joining forces with the anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller, Sir John said it is possible to legally challenge the advice the prime minister gave to the Queen. | |
In a statement, Sir John said: "I promised that, if the prime minister prorogued Parliament in order to prevent members from opposing his Brexit plans, I would seek judicial review of his action. |