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| Prorogation: How can the government suspend Parliament? | Prorogation: How can the government suspend Parliament? |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Parliament has been suspended, just days after MPs returned to Westminster from their summer break. So, why has this happened? | |
| Can the prime minister close Parliament? | Can the prime minister close Parliament? |
| Yes, he can - and has. | |
| 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 Boris Johnson's gift to ask the Queen to shut Parliament, dramatically reducing the influence of MPs. | So, it is within Boris Johnson's gift to ask the Queen to shut Parliament, dramatically reducing the influence of MPs. |
| With Parliament not sitting, MPs will 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 is also different to a recess - a break in the Parliamentary session - which was due to take place this year from roughly 13 September to 8 October. | It is also different to a recess - a break in the Parliamentary session - which was due to take place this year from roughly 13 September to 8 October. |
| So, in theory, prorogation only loses MPs up to seven parliamentary days. But, unlike recess dates which MPs get to approve, they were not consulted. | |
| It is 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. | It is 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 will be suspended for 24 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, of 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, of 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 the possibility of no-deal Brexit harder. | As well as reducing the influence of the elected Parliament in a major decision, it could also make planning for the possibility of 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. | |
| Opponents, on the other hand, say it is undemocratic. When the decision to prorogue was first made public, many MPs were concerned it would limit the time available to find ways to block a no-deal Brexit. | Opponents, on the other hand, say it is undemocratic. When the decision to prorogue was first made public, many MPs were concerned it would limit the time available to find ways to block a no-deal Brexit. |
| However, despite having less Parliamentary time, MPs succeeded in passing a law that seeks to extend the Brexit deadline. | However, despite having less Parliamentary time, MPs succeeded in passing a law that seeks to extend the Brexit deadline. |
| Could prorogation be stopped? | Could prorogation 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 to overturn it. | |
| Joining forces with the anti-Brexit campaigner and businesswoman Gina Miller, Sir John said he would challenge the advice the prime minister gave to the Queen. | Joining forces with the anti-Brexit campaigner and businesswoman Gina Miller, Sir John said he would challenge the advice the prime minister gave to the Queen. |
| However, on 6 September High Court judges rejected the case. An appeal is expected to be heard at the Supreme Court on 17 September. | However, on 6 September High Court judges rejected the case. An appeal is expected to be heard at the Supreme Court on 17 September. |
| Scotland's highest civil court will give its judgement this week on a separate challenge to the planned suspension. Three judges are considering an appeal against a ruling that the issue was for politicians and voters to judge, and not the courts. | Scotland's highest civil court will give its judgement this week on a separate challenge to the planned suspension. Three judges are considering an appeal against a ruling that the issue was for politicians and voters to judge, and not the courts. |
| In Northern Ireland, a hearing at the High Court in Belfast into the implications of a no-deal exit is due to continue. A campaigner for victims of the Troubles has brought a case arguing that a no-deal exit could jeopardise the Northern Ireland peace process. | In Northern Ireland, a hearing at the High Court in Belfast into the implications of a no-deal exit is due to continue. A campaigner for victims of the Troubles has brought a case arguing that a no-deal exit could jeopardise the Northern Ireland peace process. |