Boris Johnson asks Queen to suspend British Parliament

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday announced that he has spoken to the Queen to request an end to the current parliamentary session in the second sitting week in September.

A 'no entry sign' is seen outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. [Photo: VCG]

The Prime Minister's office said in a statement that the decision to end the current parliamentary session -- the longest in close to 400 years and in recent months one of the least active -- will enable Johnson to put a fresh domestic program in front of Members of Parliament (MPs) for debate and scrutiny.

Following the conclusion of the traditional party conference season, the second session of this Parliament will commence with a Queen's Speech on Oct. 14, according to the statement.

Through the Queen's Speech, the government will seek to strengthen public services, improve infrastructure and connectivity across the country, tackle crime and enhance the integrity of the criminal justice system, while protecting the natural environment for the long-term, it added.

Votes on the Queen's Speech are likely to fall on Oct. 21 and 22.

The suspension will also ensure that there is a good time before and after the European Council for Parliament to further consider Brexit issues, read the statement.

"I believe it is vital that Parliament is sitting both before and after European Council and if, as I hope, a deal with the EU is forthcoming, Parliament will then have the opportunity to pass the Withdrawal Agreement Bill required for ratification ahead of 31 October," Johnson said in his statement.

The idea of shutting down Parliament has caused controversy, with critics saying it would stop MPs from being able to play their democratic part in the Brexit process.

The MPs who oppose a no-deal Brexit have feared Johnson would attempt to stop them from meeting, and will not take it lying down. Some have talked of simply continuing to meet in another building, and defying the government. Parliament has also passed measures aimed at forcing the government to let it meet.

But the prime minister said it was "completely untrue" to suggest that the suspension was motivated by a desire to force through a no-deal Brexit.

Johnson said he does not feel like "getting on with our plans to take this country forward" until Brexit, and insisted there would still be "ample time" for MPs to debate the UK's departure.

"We need new legislation. We've got to be bringing forward new and important bills and that's why we are going to have a Queen's Speech," he added.

Some other big political names also viewed Johnson's action as an attempt to limit their chances of preventing a no-deal Brexit on Oct. 31.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said MPs must come together to stop the plan next week, or "today will go down in history as a dark one indeed for UK democracy."

Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson said: "We do not have a 'new government.' This action is an utterly scandalous affront to our democracy. We cannot let this happen."

The British Parliament will return from summer recess next week and another recess was expected to take place later in September to cover the political conference season.

Parliament is normally suspended or prorogued for a short period before a new session begins -- by the Queen --and on the advice of the prime minister.