Prorogation of Parliament

Earlier on Monday, the House of Commons held an emergency debate on prorogation, in light of the UK’s scheduled departure from the EU on 31 October. The motion debated called for the Government to publish communications relating to the prorogation from several senior advisers. It also called for the Government to publish documents relating to Operation Yellowhammer, the Government’s plan in the event of a No Deal Brexit.

At this stage of the Brexit process, I believe Parliament should be sitting as often as possible. Instead we have a five-week prorogation. The Government says that this is to allow for a Queen’s Speech and a new legislative agenda. However, this is simply not believable. In most cases, prorogation lasts only a week or less. It has not been prorogued for longer than three weeks at any time in the past 40 years. It is clear that the Government suspended Parliament simply to stop scrutiny and prevent MPs from expressing a view on No Deal. Indeed, on Wednesday Scotland’s highest civil court agreed that this was the case and ruled the suspension of Parliament unlawful.

Monday’s motion was passed by 311 votes to 302. The Government therefore published documents relating to Operation Yellowhammer on Wednesday. The documents confirm the severe risk of a No Deal Brexit, which I have worked so hard to block. I believe it is irresponsible for the Government to have tried to ignore these stark warnings and prevent the public seeing the evidence. It is now more important than even that Parliament is recalled and has the opportunity to scrutinise these documents and do what it takes to stop No Deal.