Johnson’s ‘despotic’ attempt to undermine UK parliament ‘new low’ in Brexit – Green Party

Queen Elizabeth has approved Boris Johnson’s plan to suspend the parliament starting shortly after lawmakers return to work in mid-September until Oct. 14, leaving them two weeks to pass any laws to prevent a no-deal exit from the European Union (EU).

“This feels like a very cynical time in politics, where democratic means and mandate are being severely tested.

He slammed the Conservative leader for trying to “sabotage anticipated parliamentary business” in a bid to unilaterally force the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union despite Brexit being chiefly about “sovereignty and our collective ownership over our destinies.”

“To attempt to bypass or block participatory democracy in a representative chamber in the name of a wider democratic goal is contradictory and despotic.

He said that British politicians should continue seeking solutions to the impasse over the UK-EU withdrawal agreement alongside Brussels.

“We need to act maturely as politicians to seek positive solutions alongside our near neighbors. If a deal is to be renegotiated, however narrowly, both UK and EU parliaments will have to be encouraging and maximizing opportunities for exercise of political debate; not attempting to stonewall it,” he said.

The prime minister is facing down a storm of outrage over his decision, given many of his political opponents believe he is actively attempting to limit the parliament’s ability to debate, modify or even potentially stop his country leaving the European Union on Oct. 31.

Johnson’s move may have also placed his narrow majority in parliament under added strain, given opposition parties may resort to closer cooperation in a bid to trigger a vote of no confidence in his administration.