Corbyn demands to see the Queen! Labour leader explodes over Boris' proroguing move
JEREMY Corbyn has requested a meeting with the Queen to discuss his concern over Boris Johnson’s plan to prorogue Parliament.
Brexit: Jeremy Corbyn 'strongly protests' Parliament suspension
The Labour leader branded the Prime Minister's plan to suspend Parliament a few weeks before Brexit an "outrage" and has written to the Queen outlining his opposition to the move which could end any hopes of blocking a no deal Brexit. Mr Cobyn, who has joined forces with other opposition party leaders in a bid to thwart no deal, said the plan was a “threat to democracy”.
This is an outrage and a threat to our democracy
Mr Corbyn said Labour will do everything it can to prevent what he described as a “smash and grab” operation by the Government.
He said: “I have protested in the strongest possible terms on behalf of my party and all the other opposition parties that are going to join in with this in saying that suspending parliament is not acceptable. It’s not on.
“What the Prime Minister is doing is a sort of smash and grab on our democracy in order to force through a no deal exit from the European Union.
“What his he so afraid that that he has to suspend parliament in order to prevent parliament discussing these matters?”
Mr Corbyn said Labour would put forward legislation to prevent the suspension and than launch a challenge in the form of a vote of no confidence.
The Labour leader was asked about plans by a cross party grouping of MPs to hold an alternative MP, and calls by some Labour MPs for people to take to the streets, he replied: “We will do everything that we can. We will join everybody else in doing that.”
He said: "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.
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"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."
Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson beat Mr Corbyn to the punch when he tweeted: “This action is an utterly scandalous affront to our democracy. We cannot let this happen.”
Twitter user Michael Mallinson replied: “Stop squawking and do something about it then, Mr Watson. Is Mr Corbyn awake yet?”
Liberal Democrat Leader Jo Swinson has also written to the Queen in response to Mr Johnson’s move.
She said: "I've written to the Queen to express my concern at Boris Johnson's anti-democratic plan to shut down Parliament, and to request an urgent meeting.
"This is a crucial time in our country's history, and yet our Prime Minister is arrogantly attempting to force through a no deal Brexit against the democratic will. He is outrageously stifling the voices of both the people and their representatives.
"It is appalling that the Prime Minister has forced opposition leaders into taking this action.
“However, we must take all measures necessary to avoid a disastrous no deal Brexit, for which there is no mandate."
Mr Johnson was facing a Parliamentary battle with opposition leaders agreed to work together to stop a no-deal Brexit.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly promised the UK will leave the European Union on October 31, with or without a deal, and allies accused the opposition group of trying to "sabotage" the UK's position in talks with Brussels.
After cross-party talks led by Mr Corbyn, a co-ordinated effort to thwart Mr Johnson's plans has been promised based on passing new legislation when the Commons returns from its summer break on September 3.
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The leaders had agreed to prioritise a legislative approach rather than an effort to oust Mr Johnson but it is now unclear if there will be time to put their plan into action.
Mr Corbyn had agreed to put moves to replace Mr Johnson through a vote of no confidence on hold.
That idea had met resistance because of his plan to lead a caretaker government.
Other opposition figures had called for a compromise candidate who would be more likely to command a cross-party Commons majority as an interim prime minister.