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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Guardian view on proroguing parliament: an affront to democracy
The prime ministers action might adhere to the letter of the law but in spirit it is an act of wanton constitutional vandalism
Boris Johnson has written many dishonest things in his life, but few as consequential as the letter sent on Wednesday to MPs explaining his decision to seek a prorogation of parliament. The prime minister says that a new Commons session is needed to enact a bold and ambitious legislative agenda. To that end the current session must be closed. His plan envisages a Queens speech in the middle of October
No one is fooled, although government ministers make fools of themselves by parroting their leaders line. Prorogation is a device to silence parliament during a critical period approaching the 31 October Brexit deadline. Mr Johnson cannot be sure of majority support in the Commons for a withdrawal agreement and he would certainly not have the numbers for leaving the EU without one. So he wants to dispense with legislative scrutiny altogether.
The chosen method for pursuing that goal observes the letter of the law, but in spirit it is revolutionary and dangerous. John Bercow, the Commons speaker, calls it a constitutional outrage and opposition MPs have decried what they see as a full-frontal assault on British democracy. At the intemperate end of the rhetorical spectrum (amplified on social media), Mr Johnsons move is decried as a coup and a step down the slippery slope towards dictatorship.
Hyperbole is inevitable at times of political stress and it is true that Mr Johnson is pushing the UK into a constitutional crisis. But to properly assess the gravity of the situation it helps also to keep it in perspective. This is a cynical, premeditated blow against the principle of parliamentary democracy but it is not a total subversion of the constitutional order on a par with a military putsch. The prime minister is exhibiting the irresponsible arrogance of which he has long been known capable. But he is also operating within the technical parameters of what the British political system allows in all its archaic peculiarity.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/28/the-guardian-view-on-proroguing-parliament-an-affront-to-democracy
moondust
(19,972 posts)to get what you want is very popular among U.S. Republicans; they've been at it for years and have dreamed up all kinds of tricks to undermine democratic rule. Is BoJo following their lead?
RIP democracy.
turbinetree
(24,695 posts)its just taken them here in this country 240 years to take down this government, because they did lose the revolution and they were pissed off ever since, and as in England, it going on 600 + years and then they have this guy who wasn't even elected.........................and the Queen who lived during the Nazi crap should have said NO to the dissolving of government......................