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Johnson to Ask Queen to Suspend U.K. Parliament, Hindering Brexit Rebels Johnson Will Suspend U.K. Parliament, Hindering Brexit Rebels
(32 minutes later)
LONDON — With Britain scheduled to leave the European Union on Oct. 31, Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to lengthen an upcoming parliamentary break, making it harder for lawmakers to prevent him from exiting without an agreement with the bloc in place, British news media reported on Wednesday. LONDON — Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday announced plans to lengthen an upcoming parliamentary break, a surprise maneuver that would make it harder for lawmakers to prevent Britain from exiting the European Union without an agreement with the bloc.
Mr. Johnson has repeatedly insisted that he wants an agreement with Brussels before Brexit takes effect, but that Britain will leave on Oct. 31, with or without a deal. Economists say such a “no-deal” exit would be chaotic and economically damaging, and could plunge Britain into a recession, but Mr. Johnson and the hard-line pro-Brexit faction in Parliament insist that it would be fine. Mr. Johnson has repeatedly insisted that he wants an agreement with Brussels before Brexit takes effect, but that Britain will leave as scheduled on Oct. 31, with or without a deal. Economists say such a “no-deal” exit would be chaotic and economically damaging, and could plunge Britain into a recession, but Mr. Johnson and the hard-line pro-Brexit faction in Parliament insist that it would be fine.
The British pound dropped sharply on the news, going as low as $1.2157 in mid-morning. Opposition politicians reacted angrily to the news, which pushed the British pound down sharply, to as low as $1.2157 in morning trading.
Parliament, currently on vacation, is scheduled to meet during the first two weeks of September, and then to be suspended for annual political party conferences. Parliament had been scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 9.Parliament, currently on vacation, is scheduled to meet during the first two weeks of September, and then to be suspended for annual political party conferences. Parliament had been scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 9.
But Mr. Johnson now intends to resume on Oct. 14, with a speech by Queen Elizabeth II, laying out the agenda of the Conservative government under Mr. Johnson, who took office last month, British news organizations reported. The government has not confirmed or denied the reports. But in a letter sent Wednesday to all members of Parliament, Mr. Johnson said he intended to resume on Oct. 14, with a speech by Queen Elizabeth II, laying out the agenda of the Conservative government under Mr. Johnson, who took office last month.
A new session of Parliament begins with a queen’s speech, an elaborate ceremonial occasion that itself requires a significant chunk of parliamentary time, and the prime minister has great leeway in deciding on the timing. By scheduling it 17 days before the Brexit deadline, he would further limit the time available to opponents of a no-deal Brexit. A new session of Parliament begins with a queen’s speech, an elaborate ceremonial occasion that itself requires a significant chunk of parliamentary time, and the prime minister has great leeway in deciding on the timing. By scheduling it before the Brexit deadline, he would further limit the time available to opponents of a no-deal Brexit.
The queen must approve the timing, but that is usually considered just a formality. The queen must approve the timing, but that is usually considered a formality.
A majority in Parliament is on record opposing a no-deal Brexit, and many of those lawmakers hope to organize a vote that would prohibit the government from going through with it. On Tuesday, a group of opposition lawmakers agreed to coordinate toward that end.A majority in Parliament is on record opposing a no-deal Brexit, and many of those lawmakers hope to organize a vote that would prohibit the government from going through with it. On Tuesday, a group of opposition lawmakers agreed to coordinate toward that end.
Their time and room for maneuver were already limited, and a longer suspension would restrict them further, forcing rebel lawmakers to accelerate their efforts.Their time and room for maneuver were already limited, and a longer suspension would restrict them further, forcing rebel lawmakers to accelerate their efforts.
The news was greeted with anger by opposition politicians. Yvette Cooper, an opposition Labour lawmaker strongly opposed to a no-deal Brexit, wrote on Twitter: “Boris Johnson is trying to use the Queen to concentrate power in his own hands — this is a deeply dangerous and irresponsible way to govern.”
Yvette Cooper, an opposition Labour lawmaker strongly opposed to a no-deal Brexit, wrote on Twitter: “Boris Johnson is trying to use the Queen to concentrate power in his own hands - this is a deeply dangerous and irresponsible way to govern.”
Dick Newby, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, wrote: “Suspending Parliament to stop debate and possible defeat is what dictators do. It must be resisted by every possible means.”Dick Newby, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, wrote: “Suspending Parliament to stop debate and possible defeat is what dictators do. It must be resisted by every possible means.”
A Brexit deal with the European Union would be exceedingly complicated, covering tariffs, product standards, fisheries, immigration, financial services, the border with Ireland and other issues. Mr. Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May, negotiated a withdrawal agreement that was nearly 600 pages long, just to cover a transition period while long-term arrangements were made.
Parliament rejected Mrs. May’s deal three times this year, and nonbinding votes on a range of alternatives made it appear that in fact, no particular approach had majority support.