Commons Speaker John Bercow says suspending parliament ‘a constitutional outrage’
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Commons Speaker John Bercow said, “it is blindingly obvious that the purpose of prorogation now would be to stop Parliament debating Brexit and performing its duty in shaping a course for the country”, calling it a “constitutional outrage”.
He claims he has “no contact from the government” and adds: “Shutting down Parliament would be an offence against the democratic process and the rights of parliamentarians as the people’s elected representatives.
“Surely at this early stage in his premiership, the prime minister should be seeking to establish rather than undermine his democratic credentials and indeed his commitment to Parliamentary democracy.”
The Labour leader said in his first statement on the announcement: “I am appalled at the recklessness of Johnson’s government, which talks about sovereignty and yet is seeking to suspend parliament to avoid scrutiny of its plans for a reckless No Deal Brexit. This is an outrage and a threat to our democracy.
“That is why Labour has been working across Parliament to hold this reckless government to account and prevent a disastrous No Deal which parliament has already ruled out.
“If Johnson has confidence in his plans, he should put them to the people in a general election or public vote.”
