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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Frances Perraudin and Ben Quinn (earlier); Jedidajah Otte (later)

Suspension of parliament: MPs react with fury and Davidson set to quit after Johnson move – as it happened

Summary

I will be wrapping up now, as another historic day in British politics is coming to an end.

At a glance, this is what happened:

  • During a meeting of the privy council with the Queen, the monarch has consented to the prorogation of parliament, as requested by prime minister Boris Johnson in what is widely considered a bid to push through a no deal Brexit.
  • Parliament will thus be dissolved, unless MPs or campaigners will manage to trash this plan over the coming days, between September 9th and September 12th, until October 14th. This would leave MPs with only a few days to put a stop to a no-deal Brexit or Brexit altogether. Markets jittered in anticipation of a no deal exit that is now more likely than ever before.
  • MPs and campaigners across the political spectrum have reacted with outrage to the PM’s prorogation plans. Protests were held in towns across the UK, and a cross-party group of MPs has vowed to try everything in their power to avert prorogation. The former chancellor Philip Hammond said MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit will “have to do something” when parliament returns next week.
  • Johnson’s government has argued that the current parliamentary session, which began in June 2017, is the longest in almost 400 years. Brexit hardliner Jacob Rees-Mogg described the planned prorogation as “a completely normal procedure”. Several legal challenges have been launched against the plan, one of them spearheaded by the campaigner Gina Miller.
  • A petition calling to stop the prorogation of parliament has reached more than 1 million signatures.
  • In what is regarded a blow to Boris Johnson, Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, has announced her imminent resignation from her role as party leader, a move that could cost the PM a majority at the next general election.

That’s all from me, goodnight.

Diane Abbott said in an interview with the BBC: “Boris does not represent the people, he’s never represented the people. This is Boris versus the people. And the people are going to fight.”

This from Welsh Labour MP Anna McMorrin:

Ruth Davidson will step down as party leader without much further ado, reports ITV’s Scotland correspondent Peter A Smith:

This from independent MP Angela Smith, formerly Labour:

The “Do not prorogue Parliament” petition is still flying, and has now reached more than 900,000 signatures. Here my colleague Matthew Weaver’s story:

Also, in case you hadn’t seen this tweet by Hugh Grant, which has been very popular, while the name Hugh is trending, here it is:

People on Twitter have begun debating the legitimacy of the Queen’s role, as well as questioning the future of Britain’s constitutional monarchy. The hashtag #AbolishTheMonarchy is currently trending.

This from Apolitical’s Josh Lowe:

And this from Sky’s Lewis Goodall:

Updated

Conservative MP Sam Gyimah also found strong words earlier today:

Updated

A consensus regarding Boris Johnson’s main motive for dissolving parliament is emerging from the quarter of prorogation opponents.

This from Labour MP Richard Burgon:

My colleague Tom Kibasi wrote about this earlier:

But even if Johnson gets his “people vs parliament” general election, it’s likely to come with a number of caveats, as Sky’s Lewis Goodall points out:

This is Ed Miliband’s verdict on today’s developments:

Quite a few people seem to be ruminating on the future of chancellor Sajid Javid tonight.

This from the journalist Ian Fraser:

And this from Stefan Rousseau, chief political photographer at the Press Association - (the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg retweeted):

People across the UK took to the streets tonight to demonstrate against the Queen’s approval of the prime minister’s plans to prorogue
parliament.

Updated

Lawyers for campaigner Gina Miller have made an urgent application to the high court for a judicial review of Boris Johnson’s plan to prorogue parliament. It is the first shot in what will be an intense battle in the coming days to torpedo his plan.

“This is a brazen attempt, of truly historical magnitude, to prevent the executive being held accountable for its conduct before Parliament,” said Miller.

She had received legal correspondence from the government legal officers in the last two weeks stating that the issue of prorogation is of no more than “academic” interest and she says this now proves that Johnson has misled the nation.

“It is, sadly, all too clear from today’s announcements, that prorogation is a desperate reality, not a mere theoretical nicety. In view of this, I urge our courts to urgently hear my application for Judicial Review before 9 September 2019 – the earliest date that Prorogation of Parliament could come into effect.

“We have all been comprehensively misled by the Prime Minister and his lawyers. A reply from the Government Legal Department received late on 27 August stated: ‘The proposed intention to bring legal proceedings in respect of events which have not occurred and may never do so is noted. For the avoidance of doubt, we do not accept that the approach taken in your letter is an appropriate one.’,” she said in a statement issued tonight.

“To put this in an official legal letter and send it out at the same time as you are drafting a press release confirming Parliament’s suspension the following morning illustrates just how manipulative and anti-democratic this Prime Minister and his Government really are.

“The basis of my approach to the courts is that it cannot be legitimate or a proper use of the prerogative power to prorogue Parliament when the intention and effect inherent in doing so is to frustrate Parliament and fetter it from exercising its sovereign right to fulfil its elective role and enact any law it sees fit.”

Updated

MPs continue to rebuke the PM’s prorogation plans on Twitter.

My colleague Polly Toynbee has written a column about the possible consequences of today’s events, and predicts an impending civil war.

She writes:

This aggressive provocation of parliament widens the great Brexit divide into a civil war state of mind. This is the battleground Johnson seeks – himself as roguish, freewheeling representative of the people’s will, defender of the referendum versus the Westminster establishment and the elite, as represented by MPs elected to parliament. Explosive, dangerous, unresolvable, David Cameron’s reckless, Tory-pleasing referendum cut right through the constitution, and now it lies badly damaged.

This assault on parliament is galvanising those soft Tory opponents who were prevaricating, the ones who preferred to wait until late October to give Johnson a chance to strike a new EU deal. Now, say Dominic Grieve and others, they all realise the one week before prorogation must be used to legislate against a no-deal Brexit. There is just time, there are manoeuvres, from seizing the timetable to a humble address and other ingenious devices murmured sotto voce lest the government hear their plans. It can be done, must be done, double quick, it’s too late to wait until they return in October.

The war for public hearts and minds has hardly begun. Which side will people lean, towards a sense their constitution and their parliament has been outraged by a revolutionary rightwinger? Or will they go with Johnson as the true representative of the people, leading angry Brexiters to their hearts’ desire? He has the advantage of the great claque of the 80% Tory press urging him on. This is only step one of Johnson’s “by any means necessary” threat. Expect more such “means” yet to come.

Link to full piece below.

The Welsh Labour MP Stephen Doughty called Boris Johnson a “coward” in an interview on ITV.

I think what we’ve seen here is a sly, underhand move by the prime minister, a fundamentally undemocratic and unconstitutional move, which goes against the interest of the people of Wales and the ability of all of us representing our constituents who elected us to have their voices heard in parliament.

Boris Johnson has a very hazy relationship with the truth and we are unable to hold him and his ministers to account at the moment, let alone his unelected, shadowy advisors sitting there, trying to drag this country off a cliff.

Why is he so afraid of parliament sitting?

Things seem to be getting more heated outside parliament, according to the FT’s Sebastian Payne:

This from the Conservative MP Johnny Mercer, who believes the dissolution of parliament will lead to a catalogue of “modern compassionate Conservative reform”.

Mark Drakeford, the first minister of Wales, has tweeted the following statement:

And this from my colleague Heather Stewart:

This from Channel 4’s Hayley Barlow on how the leaders of Britain’s two biggest parties have communicated with the public today.

From the BBC’s Nick Eardley:

My colleagues Aamna Mohdin and Marvel Kalukembi are reporting from parliament square in London on the protests:

The crowds at Commons Greens, opposite parliament, have shut down a major road, chanting “stop the coup.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, Boris Johnson is the main subject of ire on many people’s placards, with some stating: “Bollocks to Boris”.
Amelia Womack, deputy leader of the Green was one of many oppositional politicians at the protest. She said: “We’re here to stand against Boris Johnson’s coup. We have a representative democracy and by suspending parliament, you are removing people’s democratic right.”

Womack said she’s both surprised and not by Johnson’s move to suspend parliament.”I feel like we’ve been expecting this for a while but I didn’t think he would make such a brutal move that showed such a disregard for our parliamentary procedures.”

She added: “I think what he has done is unite parts of the country who don’t support a no deal and his form of process that is denying democracy.

“We’ll continue the work we’ve been doing to secure a people’s vote so the people have a final say and ensure within parliament we are working cross party to prevent a no deal.”

Jane Keane, 54 years old, said she’s been protesting every day since Michael Gove said there would be preparations for a no deal. “It is a complete contradiction to what parliament has said three times. They’ve said no deal is unacceptable. My understanding is parliament is sovereign not Boris Johnson.”

She said she didn’t have a history of activism and has largely remained neutral in politics because of the work she’s done with local government. But she said as someone who has recently survived, she knows how important it is to have easy access medical supplies.


It remains unclear whether Ruth Davidson is also planning to quit as an MSP if, as is widely expected, she announces her resignation as Scottish Tory leader on Thursday.

Sebastian Payne at the Financial Times has tweeted she plans to stay on as a backbencher but Chris Musson, the Scottish Sun political editor, who broke the story of Davidson’s resignation as leader, is not so sure.

If she does resign from Holyrood as well, that throws up the real prospect of the Scottish National party winning her seat of Edinburgh Central, a constituency Davidson won unexpectedly in 2016 but with a slender majority of 610 votes.

It is being eyed up by Angus Robertson, the SNP’s former Westminster leader and election strategist, who lost his Commons seat of Moray to the Tories in the 2017 snap election. Given Labour’s weakness in Scotland, he would be confident the SNP would win comfortably by harnessing a very strong anti-Brexit vote in the city.

And Holyrood is already braced for the result of tomorrow’s Scottish parliamentary byelection in Shetland, where the SNP hope to win a remarkable victory, by defeating the Liberal Democrats in one of its electoral strongholds.

The Lib Dems have held Shetland since the foundation of the Scottish parliament in 1999 and the contiguous Westminster seat of Orkney and Shetland since 1950 (then as the Liberals). Senior Lib Dems are adamant they will hold on, but many Shetlanders scent an upset.

That could change the parliamentary arithmetic at Holyrood significantly: Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister and SNP leader, is two seats short of a majority.

If the SNP wins either seat, they would then have the same votes as all the opposition parties together. If they win both, they regain the overall majority they lost in 2016 and also a much more powerful political case for staging a second referendum.

Given those numbers, would Davidson risk the union she has fought so hard to protect by quitting Holyrood?

Updated

Angela Smith, the leader of the opposition in the House of Lords, has launched a searing attack on Boris Johnson’s government.

Writing in the House magazine, the former Labour MP lambasted the PM’s prorogation plans as “Trumpesque at heart”.

Despite ongoing speculation that Boris Johnson would try to shut down Parliament before Brexit Day, the formal announcement from No.10 was still deeply shocking and disturbing. Having so often been told that our exit from the European Union was about ‘taking back control’, it appears our new Prime Minister wants that power to reside with him alone.

Lacking the legitimacy of the ballot box, or any public endorsement, Mr Johnson now seeks to thwart the will of the House of Commons by just shutting it down to try to stop elected MPs from doing the job they were elected to. A constitutional outrage, verging on a coup and one that must be challenged.

The action of an autocrat not a democrat, the Prime Minister’s decision is part of a pattern of arrogance that is Trumpesque at heart – far removed from the Churchillian statesmanship that he would like people to believe he possesses. And such an act of political chicanery also risks compromising the political independence of our monarch.

Around the world, Westminster has been admired as the ‘Mother of Parliaments’ but this move from Mr Johnson will embarrass us internationally.

Brexit and the way it has been handled has divided our country and our politics. At the time when we most need calm, moderate, thoughtful leadership – in the national interest – we are now lumbered with a man without either the skills or integrity to hold this any other high office.

Opposition to such an authoritarian approach is unifying people from across the political divide – the Prime Minister’s only support appears to be from the government’s confidence and supply allies, the DUP. That said, anger and outrage will not be enough. Parliamentarians from across all parties and none – and in both Houses – must assert the authority of those elected to the Commons.

I have taken part in two prorogation ceremonies in my four years as leader of the opposition in the Lords. Like many traditions, its roots go way back. Whilst the pomp, ceremony and outfits appear somewhat anachronistic, they are part of a proud historical tradition.

The next prorogation should therefore be uncontroversial – just part of how our Parliament functions. If however, Mr Johnson’s reckless disregard for Parliament goes ahead in the way he clearly wishes it to, it will be anything but.

Updated

Guardian readers have been getting in touch to tell us about why they’re planning on protesting against Boris Johnson suspending parliament.

Many have expressed their concern over what they consider an undemocratic move by Johnson. Aforji Churjor, who works in FX sales in London, has said that he’s going to parliament to protest.
“I genuinely couldn’t believe he would actually do it. When it was discussed before I thought that he was saying what he wanted to get Tory members to vote for him. To the claim that he wants to kill parliamentary democracy for democratic reasons is beyond laughable. Nobody made him dictator, it’s a blatant ploy to get a general election triggered ... He will go down as the worst PM of all time and after the last two that’s saying something! We need to Stop Boris and save our democracy!”

Catherine Ogden, a retired primary school teacher who is on her way to a protest in Manchester said that she was taking part on behalf of her daughter, who is living in Spain.
“This is an orchestrated attempt to shut out our elected members of parliament from debating an issue that will affect us for generations to come. This is not about leave or remain anymore, this is about a three-year long offence against the democratic rights of British citizens, at home and abroad. Whichever side of the debate you stand, this has not been a clean fight and the consequences will be grave.”

Other readers who have contacted the Guardian have said that they feel angry and fearful about what could happen next. Barbara, who lives in the south-west of England, said that she is “really upset, angry and scared to death by this outrageous government and it’s dictatorial approach to Brexit.

“Suspending parliament is the most undemocratic and sinister move imaginable and is dictatorial in the extreme. MPs must be allowed to debate a decision like Brexit, which has split the country and continues to do so. Maybe MPs will now all get their act together and stop this.”

Updated

Evening everyone. This just in from the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg:

The Guardian’s Libby Brooks has been placing the Ruth Davidson exit as Scottish Tory leader into context.

Davidson was reportedly livid at Boris Johnson’s sacking of David Mundell as Scottish secretary and went on to issue a defiant challenge to Johnson on the eve of his first visit to Scotland as prime minister, pledging she would refuse to back a no-deal Brexit.

In her regular column for the Scottish Mail on Sunday she promised she would “not be backward in challenging Mr Johnson’s government where I think they are getting it wrong”.

The first openly lesbian party leader anywhere in the UK, Davidson gave birth last October to her first child, conceived with her partner, Jen, following IVF treatment. A state-educated woman with a working-class background in a party overwhelmingly controlled by privately schooled men, Davidson delivered previously unthinkable electoral success for the Scottish Tories at both Holyrood and Westminster.

Ruth Davidson at an event in July 2019.
Ruth Davidson at an event in July 2019. Photograph: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock

Last September Davidson published her first book, Yes She Can, a collection of interviews with “mould-breaking women”, in which she revealed she had been diagnosed with clinical depression as a teenager, and she discussed the ongoing management of her mental health.

Davidson attracted criticism from opposition politicians including Nicola Sturgeon today for not giving media interviews after the prorogation announcement.

Davidson’s allies would not be drawn to speak publicly before her statement tomorrow and privately only expressed admiration for her leadership and sadness at her decision.

Updated

The Scottish Labour Leader, Richard Leonard, has given his reaction to news of Ruth Davidson’s departure as leader of the Scottish Tories.

“If the rumours are true then the loss of Ruth Davidson as leader of the Scottish Conservatives will be a real blow to her party,” he said.

“This shows that even within his own ranks, Boris Johnson is already losing support and credibility. Scotland and the UK needs a general election as quickly as possible to oust him from Downing Street and elect a Labour government.”

Updated

Things are moving in Wales, where the assembly is being recalled from its Summer recess, reports Ian Craig of the South Wales Argus.

Updated

European politicians have been casting an eye over events in Britain today, with a former French Europe minister talking about an “illness” at the heart of British democracy.

The former minister, Nathalie Loiseau, now an MEP, said: “We are going to see a Brexit without agreement and what’s more a Brexit without debate. What illness is British democracy suffering from to be fearful of debate before making one of the most important decisions in its history?”

A former Finnish prime minister, Alexander Stubb, said: “It makes me really sad to see what Brexit is doing to one of the great democracies of our time. Please, stay calm and use common sense.”

Updated

The Labour MP Jess Phillips has responded to Boris Johnson’s letter to MPs about plans to prorogue parliament, telling him: “This is not the actions [sic] of a credible prime minister.”

She wrote: “You’re gambling that the trappings of office will give you an advantage in this game of chance. It is a mighty gamble. And for the people I represent, it is not a game.”

She condemned the prime minister for treating her constituents’ jobs, businesses and safety as “casino chips”, and said “every right-minded member in parliament” would fight his plan “every step of the way”.

“The sight of politicians from across the political divide working together this week to stop a no-deal Brexit has sent you into a panic,” her letter to Johnson continues. “This is not the actions of a credible prime minister, you will lose and take the people down with you.”

Updated

Responding to reports that Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson is set to quit after differences with Boris Johnson, the Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray said her departure would be deeply felt by her party.

“She campaigned tirelessly for a remain vote in the EU referendum, but the Tories under Boris Johnson have become a hard Brexit party, so it is not surprising that it has come to this,” he said.

Updated

Protesters have been gathering in Manchester’s Albert Square, many armed with umbrellas – some in solidarity with Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protest and some simply to protect against the rain.

They are chanting “stop the coup”, and holding signs reading “Hands off” and “Protect our democracy”.

One of the organisers, Emma, a 26-year-old immigration consultant, said: “I’m here because I’m angry and shocked that our democracy could be ripped out from underneath us while we‘re asleep at the wheel.” She said she and her friend Noora had previously said they should be doing something, and today they said “we don’t care if anyone else shows up, we’re heading down to Manchester town centre. We tweeted about it and everyone got onboard.”

Noora, 27, a standup comedian, said they were inspired by the umbrella movement of Hong Kong. “We’re here to protest against the downgrading of democracy that is happening in the UK at the moment … I feel like we should make some kind of a stand. It might seem minor but you’re showing that it can’t continue like this.”

They were joined by Rory and Margaret, retired lecturers in their 70s. Rory said: “It’s the most flagrant attack on democracy that I can remember. It’s bad enough that [Boris Johnson] was elected leader by a handful of people, but what was this ‘taking back control’ all about? And sovereignty of parliament? Parliament has just been overruled. I think it’s an absolute outrage.”

Tallulah, 17, said she thought what was going on was “absolutely ridiculous”. “The facade of a democracy is being ripped apart.” William, 18, agreed with her. “It’s absurd. I thought it was a joke the first time I saw it the article about the Queen. But unfortunately it’s not satire. And here we are.”

Updated

Ruth Davidson is expected to quit as leader of the Scottish Conservative party because of her irreconcilable differences with Boris Johnson over Brexit and the pressures of motherhood.

Scottish Tory sources said an announcement was imminent. Davidson was “considering her position”, one source said, although he stressed it was not connected to Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament.

Davidson’s spokesman said: “Ruth will make her decision clear in due course and there will be no further comment this evening.”

Davidson made abundantly clear during the Tory leadership campaign that she did not believe Johnson was the right man for the job. One of Johnson’s first acts as prime minister was to sack her close friend and ally David Mundell, who served as Scottish secretary for five years.

Ruth Davidson, lining up alongside Sadiq Khan, in opposition to Boris Johnson, during a BBC referendum debate at Wembley Arena in 2016.
Ruth Davidson, lining up alongside Sadiq Khan, in opposition to Boris Johnson, during a BBC referendum debate at Wembley Arena in 2016. Photograph: Reuters

Updated

Ruth Davidson to quit as Scottish Tory leader

Severin Carrell, the Guardian’s Scotland editor, has confirmed reports that Ruth Davidson is on the verge of quitting, in part over her differences with Boris Johnson. He tweets:

Updated

Hammond: MPs will have to act next week

The former chancellor Philip Hammond has said MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit will “have to do something” when parliament returns next week.

Some colleagues “to be perfectly frank” had been planning to wait but the circumstances had now changed and they would have to move in the coming days, he told broadcasters.

Asked if it would involve trying to bring the government down, he replied: “I have always made clear that I am not interested in bringing down the government. I simply want the government to recognise that the majority is opposed to a no-deal Brexit.”

Updated

Ruth Davidson is to quit as leader of the Conservatives in Scotland, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.

Quoting “insiders”, it says she is stepping down “due to the pressures of motherhood”.

Davidson became the first UK party leader to have a baby while in office when she gave birth to a boy at Edinburgh Royal infirmary last October.

Updated

We’d like to hear from people who are taking to the streets to protest against the prorogation of parliament. Tell us where you are and why you are taking part.

Updated

Protests continue to be organised in towns and cities around the country. Here are the details of some:

London
Parliament Square, from 5pm

Birmingham
Victoria Square, 5.30pm

Liverpool
St George’s Plateau, 5.30pm

Milton Keynes
Station, 6pm

Chester
Town Hall, 7pm

Manchester
Albert Square, from 4pm

Edinburgh
The Mound, from 4pm (moving to Holyrood at 4.30pm)

Cambridge
Market Square, from 6pm

Cardiff
Aneurin Bevan Statue, from 6pm

Durham
Marketplace, from 6pm

Bristol
College Green, 5.30pm

Brighton
Bartholomew Square. 5.30pm

Updated

Jeremy Corbyn has responded to Donald Trump on Twitter.

Updated

Lawyers seeking to reverse Boris Johnson’s move to prorogue parliament hope a Scottish court will also hold a far faster hearing on whether the measure is unconstitutional and illegal.

A legal team acting for Joanna Cherry and 74 other MPs and peers expect to be in court in Edinburgh this Friday morning to urge Scotland’s civil court, the court of session, to block the proroguing agreed today by the Queen.

They had already won approval for a full hearing of their legal challenge to Johnson’s proroguing strategy on Friday 6 September next week. They will now ask the court to hear that case early next week, following Johnson’s gambit on Wednesday.

Jolyon Maugham QC, the anti-Brexit lawyer who helped coordinate the legal challenge through his Good Law Project, said they believe the courts are able to reverse the decision even though it has been approved by the Queen:

The MPs’ lawyer, Aidan O’Neill QC, is expected to attack Johnson and the privy council’s request of the Queen on Wednesday rather than the Queen’s decision to approve it.

O’Neill will argue the court can order UK ministers to request that the Queen reverses the prorogument, again via the privy council. Either side is likely to immediately appeal against the judge’s decision whichever way it goes, leading to series of urgent court hearings likely to end up at the UK supreme court.

Meanwhile, the European Movement in Scotland held a demonstration against Johnson’s “coup” in central Edinburgh on Wednesday.

Updated

We’ve just launched a piece by Jessica Elgot providing answers to some of the key questions around the complex events of today. You can read it in full, but here are two:

What is prorogation?

Prorogation is a formal mechanism to end a session of parliament, normally lasting only a short time until proceedings begin again with a new Queen’s speech. It means parliament’s sitting is suspended and it ends all current legislation under discussion.

It is normal for this to happen every autumn. The current parliamentary session, which began in June 2017, is the longest in almost 400 years.

Can MPs vote against prorogation?

No. Parliament is due to go on a three-week conference recess anyway in the second week of September and there had been suggestions MPs would vote against holding this recess, or any attempt to extend it. However, proroguing parliament is not voted on by MPs so cannot be stopped in this way.

Updated

Rees-Mogg: 'This is a completely normal procedure'

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been doorstepped at Aberdeen airport where journalists followed him through the terminal after his privy council meeting with the Queen.

“Anything the Queen says is private, as you know,” said Rees-Mogg, who was one of three members of the council who went to Balmoral to ask permission on behalf of the prime minister for the prorogation of parliament.

Asked if he was confident that the move would not be up for challenge in the courts, he replied: “The courts will come to their decision but this is a completely normal procedure.”

Updated

Vince Cable to stand down as MP at next election

Some non-prorogation news now. Our political correspondent Kate Proctor reports that there is speculation that the Liberal Democrats are preparing to welcome another defector, after their former leader Vince Cable announced he would stand down as an MP at the next election.

The candidate for Cable’s Twickenham seat, which he won back from the Conservatives in the 2017 general election, will be chosen from an all-female shortlist. Those wanting to stand have until midday on Friday to say so. A spokesman for the party said:

Vince has enjoyed a fantastic parliamentary career in the Liberal Democrats and representing the people of Twickenham. He will continue to serve as the MP until the next election, whenever that may be.

The vacancy opens up the possibility that the rumoured defection of another former Change UK MP will soon follow, with new members to be announced at the party’s autumn conference in Bournemouth.

Senior party figures have said they are holding out for Heidi Allen, Luciana Berger or Angela Smith to make the switch and follow their former colleague Sarah Wollaston. A source said: “Twickenham coming into play has certainly raised the levels of speculation about defections.”

Berger said she was still deciding what to do at the next election. The former MP Sarah Olney, who briefly took the Richmond Park seat from Zac Goldsmith before losing it months later in 2017, was briefly rumoured for Twickenham but has been reselected as the candidate in Richmond.

The all-women shortlist quashes rumours that the former Labour MP and now Lib Dem foreign affairs spokesman, Chuka Umunna, could switch from running in Streatham to Twickenham, where Cable had a 9,000 majority.

Vince Cable will step down as an MP at the next election.
Vince Cable will step down as an MP at the next election. Photograph: David Mirzoeff/PA

Updated

Our Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll has been listening to the Irish deputy PM, Simon Coveney, and the UK’s Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, speaking at a conference in Paris.

Updated

The former prime minister John Major has said he is seeking legal advice on whether he can challenge Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament.

In a statement read out on BBC News, Major said: “I have no doubt that the prime minister’s motive in seeking prorogation is to bypass a sovereign parliament that opposes his policy. As events unfold I will continue to seek advice on the legality of this and other matters, but will be making no further comment.”

Last month Major said he would be willing to go to court to seek a judicial review to stop Johnson proroguing parliament.

In June he said this:

Updated

Planned anti-prorogation protests across the country

Planned protests against the prorogation of parliament are springing up around the country.

The campaign group Another Europe is Possible is planning a demo on College Green in Westminster at 5.30pm.

Leeds for Europe is planning a protest in City Square on Thursday at 5.30pm.

In Manchester, people will start to gather (with umbrellas, Hong Kong-style) in Albert Square from 4pm today.

The European Movement in Scotland is to host a walking vigil, meeting at 4pm at the foot of the Mound in Edinburgh.

In Cardiff, people will gather at the Aneurin Bevan statue at 6pm today, and in Cambridge there will be a protest in Market Square.

Updated

This tweet sent in June by Matt Hancock, now the health secretary, has been doing the rounds. In it he called on other Conservative leadership candidates to rule out proroguing parliament, saying it undermined parliamentary democracy. He doesn’t appear to have said anything yet about today’s announcement.

Updated

Nicola Sturgeon hopes the Brexit crisis will boost the Scottish National party’s chances of a shock Holyrood byelection victory in the Liberal Democrat stronghold of Shetland tomorrow.

Pundits believe the SNP is on the verge of winning the seat, which the Lib Dems have held comfortably since the first Scottish parliament elections in 1999. Tavish Scott, previously a Scottish Lib Dems leader, won in 2016 with 67% of the vote, a majority of 4,865 over the SNP.

The contiguous Westminster seat of Orkney and Shetland has been a Lib Dem constituency since 1950 and is the party’s safest in the UK, but Sturgeon and the SNP have shovelled huge resources into the contest to succeed Scott, who stood down in June to work instead for Scottish Rugby.

An SNP win tomorrow would be cited as clear proof that Scottish voters now favour independence from the rest of the UK after Brexit. Shetland historically has been sceptical about the case for leaving the UK.

Sturgeon has visited Shetland to campaign three times in recent weeks, alongside numerous Holyrood ministers and SNP MPs and MSPs, inviting criticism from her opponents after one visit meant she failed to appear at a government press event disclosing a multibillion-pound public spending deficit in Scotland last year.

The Scottish Tories pointed out Sturgeon had visited Shetland as many times in the last month as she had during her previous five years as first minister. Brydon Goodland, the Tory candidate for Shetland, said: “The SNP only care about Shetland when there are votes to be won.”

The final message to voters from Tom Wills, the SNP’s young candidate, was Brexit-focused. He claimed the SNP was “by some distance the strongest pro-European party in the UK” with 100 parliamentarians at Scottish, UK and European level focused on stopping the UK leaving the EU.

The Lib Dems reject the implication they are softer on Brexit. After all, their European election campaign slogan was “bollocks to Brexit”. But observers on Shetland say the Lib Dem campaign has suffered greatly from the lacklustre performance of its candidate, Beatrice Wishart , while Wills has energised younger voters.

Much hinges on turnout. The Lib Dems hope the island’s broadly conservative voters will treat with cynicism Wills’s claims that the SNP will slash ferry and air fares for islanders, increase housing spending and protect fishing interests.

Updated

Here’s the document with the orders approved at today’s meeting of the privy council at Balmoral.

A list of the orders approved at the meeting of the privy council at Balmoral on Wednesday.

Updated

Anna Soubry has become the latest MP to write to the Queen today to ask for a meeting ...

Here is the document with the orders approved at the privy council at Balmoral today. And this is the key text:

It is this day ordered by Her Majesty in Council that the Parliament be prorogued on a day no earlier than Monday the 9th day of September and no later than Thursday the 12th day of September 2019 to Monday the 14th day of October 2019, to be then holden for the despatch of divers urgent and important affairs, and that the Right Honourable the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain do cause a Commission to be prepared and issued in the usual manner for proroguing the Parliament accordingly.

Queen consents to prorogation

Privy council meeting has taken place at Balmoral

The privy council meeting to sign off Boris Johnson’s plan to suspend parliament has taken place at Balmoral, the Press Association reports.

Sources said the Commons leader, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the lord president of the council, plus the Lords leader, Natalie Evans, and the chief whip, Mark Spencer, attended the meeting with the Queen.

The front entrance to Balmoral Castle where the Privy Council were expected to meet the Queen.
The front entrance to Balmoral Castle where the Privy Council were expected to meet the Queen. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA

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The former Tory deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine has just put out a statement after hearing about the news of what’s happening in the UK while on holiday in the Balkans. Like a range of others, he says it’s a constitutional outrage.

“On hearing the news whilst on holiday in Montenegro, I am appalled by the government’s announcement,” he said. “The government’s decision is a constitutional outrage. A government which is frightened of parliament is frightened of democracy. I hope that every member of parliament, in feeling this humiliation, will use every legal and constitutional weapon to obstruct a government proposing to force on the British people a historic change for which they have long since lost any mandate.”

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My colleagues Lisa O’Carroll and Heather Stewart report that constitutional experts are saying the prime minister’s plan to prorogue parliament for five weeks will be the longest suspension of the British legislature since 1945. They said it appeared to be designed to evade scrutiny of his plans for Brexit or any new deal with the EU.

Ruth Fox, the director of the highly respected Hansard Society, a leading source of independent research and advice on parliamentary affairs, said it was an “affront to parliamentary democracy”.

Lawyers said the unprecedented length of the suspension of parliament would prompt immediate legal challenge. “Expect litigation – starting in Scotland,” said Ros Kellaway, the head of Brexit and EU law at Eversheds Sutherland, in London.

Read the full story here:

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Trump says Johnson will prove to be 'a great one'

The US president has helpfully tweeted to say it will be very hard for Jeremy Corbyn to “seek a no-confidence vote against the new prime minister Boris Johnson”.

He added: “Boris is exactly what the UK has been looking for and will prove to be ‘a great one!’ Love UK.”

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The Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson, has written to the Queen to ask for a meeting in light of the prime minister “stifling the voices of both the people and their representatives”.

Further to this post about the geographical spread of the signatories on the petition against the proroguing of parliament, this nifty tool allows you to check how many people in your constituency have signed it.

1,627 people in Jeremy Corbyn’s constituency have signed it so far, compared with 199 in Boris Johnson’s seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

(The petition has nearly 287,000 signatures now, by the way.)

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The Brexit secretary, Stephen Barclay, has accused the French government of risking leaving British people resident in the country behind after Brexit, writes Lisa O’Carroll.

Speaking at a conference in Paris organised by the French business group Medef, Barclay said Brits in France would be left with fewer rights than those of the 300,000 French nationals in the UK in the event of no deal.

EU leaders repeatedly tell me how important citizens’ rights are to them but not only has the [European] commission refused to agree a specific deal on citizens’ rights – as requested by all political parties in the UK parliament – the offer here in France falls short of what we have set out in the UK in several respects.

We have guaranteed the rights of the approximately 300,000 French nationals and indeed all EU nationals living in the UK. I call on the French government and others in the EU to match our offer and provide certainty for UK nationals in France.

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The value of the pound fell sharply against the euro and the dollar this morning after Boris Johnson announced plans to suspend parliament, raising the chances of a no-deal exit from the EU.

Sterling fell by more than a cent against the US dollar to a six-day low of below $1.22, and by almost as much against the euro, to €1.096.

Here’s our story:

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The Sun’s political editor is reporting some “serious disquiet” in government about Boris Johnson’s new strategy.

This is a great explainer by Jessica Elgot on what exactly prorogation is and why the prime minister is using it.

The Press Association is reporting that a group of Church of England bishops has issued an open letter outlining their particular concerns over the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.

Twenty-five bishops signed the letter warning of the potential cost of a no-deal Brexit to “those least resilient to economic shocks”.

“The sovereignty of parliament is not just an empty term, it is based on institutions to be honoured and respected: our democracy is endangered by cavalier disregard for these,” they said.

The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said on Tuesday he would be willing to chair a citizens’ forum on Brexit “in principle” after being approached by senior MPs.

“The archbishop of Canterbury has conditionally agreed to chair a citizens forum in Coventry and, without prejudice for any particular outcome, we support this move to have all voices in the current Brexit debate heard,” said the bishops.

“However, we also have particular concerns about the potential cost of a no-deal Brexit to those least resilient to economic shocks.”

Justin Welby
Justin Welby has said he would chair a citizens’ forum on Brexit ‘in principle’. Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/PA

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Anti-monarchists: Johnson places Queen in 'firing line'

Boris Johnson has placed the Queen “in the firing line” over Brexit, according to the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic. It floated the possibility that a parliamentary crisis could become a royal crisis.

Republic’s spokesman, Graham Smith, said Johnson had thrown British politics into a deep crisis “and has shone a spotlight on the impotence of the Queen and the role of the monarch’s powers”.

“Already people are petitioning the Queen to intervene, but she won’t. Not because she can’t, but because the Queen’s first priority is always the preservation of the monarchy.

“But Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament has created a unique crisis for the Queen. The convention is that the Queen does as she’s told by the PM. But in normal times the PM has the full support of a majority in the Commons.”

“Constitutionally the Queen is free to decide whether or not to go along with the government’s plans or support the sovereign parliament. So the Queen has a choice to make, and she’s damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t.”

The Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge are driven to Crathie Kirk Church before a service on 25 August in Crathie, Aberdeenshire
The Queen and the Duchess of Cambridge are driven to Crathie Kirk Church before a service on 25 August in Crathie, Aberdeenshire. Photograph: Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images

Smith added: “Will the public care about the constitutional niceties? How much the Queen fulfils the public’s expectations and hopes will determine how much the parliamentary crisis becomes a royal crisis.”

For the record, a YouGov poll in the run-up to last year’s royal marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle found that seven in 10 Britons support Britain continuing to have a monarchy.

Monarchists were also slightly more likely to be leave voters, with those who cast a ballot in 2016 splitting 56/44% in favour of Brexit. Those who were against Britain having a royal family voted 65/35% in favour of remain.

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The shadow attorney general, Shami Chakrabarti, has told BBC Radio 5 Live that “opposition parties will be more united” as a result of Boris Johnson’s prorogation of parliament.

She described the move as “unconstitutional and unlawful” and said she had “little doubt that the courts will step up to protect our parliament and parliamentary democracy”.

They think they can get away with shutting down parliament because it’s inconvenient, and that is unconstitutional and unlawful in our country … None of us voted for a prime minister to shut down parliament because it’s annoying.

Chakrabarti said the first step would be to mount a parliamentary challenge, before considering legal action.

We will work across parties to defeat this strategy in parliament. And I hope it doesn’t come to it, but if down the road it ends up in the courts, I have little doubt that the courts will step up to protect our parliament and parliamentary democracy.

She also said of Boris Johnson:

He’s been getting away with blue murder, but this time he’s gone too far.

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That petition is now at 175,000 signatures. It had 14,000 just over two hours ago. Once a petition gets more than 100,000 signatures it must be considered for a debate in parliament.

You can see where in the country the signatories come from by looking at this heatmap. It’s interesting to see the dark red patches in places such as London, Brighton, Oxford and Cambridge, as well as the more affluent parts of big northern cities such as Manchester and Sheffield.

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Corbyn: Labour will oppose Johnson's 'smash and grab'

Jeremy Corbyn has said Labour will do everything it can to prevent what he described as a “smash and grab” operation on the part of the government.

“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,” the Labour leader said in a clip pooled to broadcasters.

“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 is he so afraid of that he has to suspend parliament in order to prevent parliament discussing these matters?

Corbyn said the first thing Labour would do was to put forward legislation to prevent the suspension, and than there would be a challenge in the form of a vote of no confidence.

Asked about plans by a cross-party group of MPs to hold an alternative parliament, 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.”

Jeremy Corbyn: Boris Johnson is engaging in a ‘smash and grab’ operation
Jeremy Corbyn: Boris Johnson is engaging in a ‘smash and grab’ operation. Photograph: Pool

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Mick Whelan, the general secretary of the train drivers’ trade union, Aslef, has said Boris Johnson’s decision to “try to sideline parliament in the run-up to Brexit” could cause civil unrest.

Whatever your views on Brexit, the democratic process must underpin what is done in all our names – or civil unrest will be the result.

It is disturbing that a prime minister who only has a mandate from the Conservative party and not from the electorate is trying to undermine the foundations of our democracy.

And while people did vote, three years ago, to leave the European Union, no one voted to leave without a deal. The best way forward is to call a general election and let the people decide.

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The political commentator Paul Mason has called on people to gather in central London tonight to protest against the government’s planned suspension of parliament.

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The Guardian’s chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot, has a useful caveat here on how much parliamentary time will be lost through the prorogation.

In practice, MPs are only likely to lose between four and six sitting days in parliament, depending on which day parliament is prorogued in the second week of September. MPs would have been due to hold conference recess from 12 September until 7 October.

Given that MPs do not generally sit on Fridays, it means MPs will not be able to sit for four days until the following Monday, 14 October. They could also lose days in the second week of September, depending on what day parliament is prorogued in the week beginning 9 September.

However, one key new obstacle is that any legislation that is incomplete ahead of prorogation will fall, meaning MPs would have to pass any anti-no-deal legislation in its entirety either before prorogation or in the three weeks leading up to 31 October.

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Jeremy Corbyn has written to the Queen expressing concern about the move by Boris Johnson, reports our colleague Heather Stewart.

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The Labour MP Clive Lewis has said the police will have to remove him and other MPs from the chamber of the House of Commons if parliament is shut down.

Charlie Falconer, the Labour peer and former lord chancellor, has also been tweeting:

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Events in Britain are making headlines around Europe and elsewhere.

Spain’s El País reports that Boris Johnson is demonstrating a determination and recklessness that his main critics never anticipated.

Britain is now heading towards an “unprecedented constitutional shock” in which the Queen will be involuntarily involved, adds the Spanish daily, which is considered a national newspaper of record in a country that is itself no stranger to constitutional crises and worse.

In France, Le Monde leads with a straight news report on events in the UK, noting that the pound fell against the euro and adding that Johnson is “desperate to leave the EU” with or without a divorce agreement.

In the US, the New York Times described Johnson’s request for the suspension of parliament as “a surprise maneuver that would make it harder for lawmakers to prevent Britain from exiting the European Union without an agreement with the bloc.”

In Ireland, Pat Leahy, the Irish Times political editor, predicts that Johnson’s move “will almost certainly incite a parliamentary rebellion that his government is likely to lose”.

He added: “In Dublin and in Brussels, they will sit tight and watch. This fight is in Westminster, and then, probably, across the UK. In truth, it has been coming for months. Only once it is resolved will the Brexit deal-making resume, as all the while the no-deal clock ticks louder and louder.”

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Guy Verhofstadt says his solidarity is with UK's MPs

Guy Verhofstadt, the chief Brexit representative for the European parliament, has tweeted that “taking back control” has never looked so sinister.

“As a fellow parliamentarian, my solidarity with those fighting for their voices to be heard,” he said.

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Joanna Cherry, an SNP MP and part of a group behind a legal action in Edinburgh aimed at preventing Boris Johnson from shutting down parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit, has said opposition parties may now have to review plans agreed yesterday to go for primary legislation first rather than a vote of no confidence.

As reported this morning by the Guardian’s Libby Brooks, the barrister told the BBC that she had made a motion this morning to the court in Edinburgh to try to get the hearing brought forward.

The court will rule on whether it is lawful for parliament to be suspended. Cherry described the move today by Boris Johnson as “profoundly undemocratic”.

“The good news is that the opposition is more united than it has ever been and we are looking at all options to prevent Boris Johnson from acting like a dictator,” she said.

The preference of those parties had been to go first with primary legislation – of the type that would, for example, extend article 50 - but that should now be reviewed, she said. However, Cherry cautioned that a vote of no confidence could still be used as “a ruse” by Boris Johnson to call a general election after the planned departure date of 31 October and thereby facilitate a no-deal Brexit.

Cherry echoed some of the language of her party leader, Nicola Sturgeon, in voicing concern that the prime minister could also shut down the Scottish parliament “if he closes Westminster on a whim”.

Updated

Some Conservative MPs here tweeting in support of the government’s decision, all trying to suggest that proroguing parliament is a very normal thing to do.

The Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan has accused those describing the government’s move as a coup of having “a screwed-up mindset”.

Updated

Nick Boles, who resigned the Tory party whip in April citing the party’s failure to compromise on Brexit, has said any MP who supports the government’s move to suspend parliament will “share in responsibility for the damage inflicted by a no-deal Brexit on 31 October”.

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Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has compared the actions of Downing Street today to those of a dictatorship.

“It’s absolutely outrageous. Shutting down parliament in order to force through a no-deal Brexit which will do untold and lasting damage to the country against the wishes of MPs is not democracy. It’s a dictatorship and if MPs don’t come together next week to stop Boris Johnson in his tracks then I think today will go down in history as the day UK democracy died,” she told the BBC.

Speaking in Edinburgh, the SNP leader said she had listened to Boris Johnson in the morning and rarely had she heard a more flimsy “cover story”.

“Everybody knows what this is about. It’s about restricting the power parliament has to stop a no-deal Brexit.”

Noting that Johnson was unelected and had come to power after being selected by Tory MPs, Sturgeon said enacting new laws or anything that could stop Johnson had to be a priority.

There was now a narrow window of opportunity to act on a plan that opposition parties had discussed yesterday, she said, to try to take control of business in the House of Commons and pass primary legislation.

Updated

Unison’s general secretary, Dave Prentis, has accused Boris Johnson of treating the future of the UK “like the plot of a far-fetched political TV drama”.

This outrageous manoeuvre has been made to silence all opposition in the most dictatorial way.

Our parliamentary democracy is the envy of the world, but it’s being stamped upon and disregarded by a prime minister who’s not gone near a public vote.

Boris Johnson is treating the future of the UK like the plot of a far-fetched political TV drama. The country must be asked for its view on Brexit right now. That’s the only way.

Dave Prentis has accused Boris Johnson of behaving like a dictator.
Dave Prentis has accused Boris Johnson of behaving like a dictator. Photograph: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images

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Here’s a roundup of more Twitter reaction. The Conservative MP and Johnson ally Zac Goldsmith was predictably dismissive of the idea that proroguing parliament was a constitutional outrage.

Alastair Campbell, the No 10 director of communications under Tony Blair, called on Conservative MPs to get behind a legislative plan to stop a no-deal Brexit.

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In the north-east, which is expected to be particularly hard hit by a no-deal Brexit, the mayor of the North of Tyne, Jamie Driscoll, called for a march on Downing Street. He said:

People voted to give Britain parliamentary sovereignty. By a small margin we voted to leave the EU, and the likes of Johnson and Farage were talking about Norway- or Swiss-style arrangements.

Now we are seeing this farce, this dangerous destruction of our democracy. Boris Johnson’s attempt to derail democracy by proroguing parliament has all the trappings of a coup. People need to march on Downing Street. Our parents and grandparents did not fight dictators to see it happen here.

Updated

That petition I mentioned earlier now has 65,000 signatures, up from 14,000 just under an hour ago.

The DUP, which props up the Conservative government, has supported the decision to prorogue parliament. The party’s leader, Arlene Foster, said on Twitter that it had been the longest parliamentary session in the Union of England and Scotland since 1707. She said the terms of the party’s confidence and supply agreement with the government would be reviewed in advance of the new session. “This will be an opportunity to ensure our priorities align with those of the government,” said Foster.

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Corbyn appalled at 'recklessness' of Johnson’s government

The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has issued a statement responding to the government’s 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.

The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, described the developments as “a very British coup”. He tweeted: “Whatever one’s views on Brexit, once you allow a prime minister to prevent the full and free operation of our democratic institutions you are on a very precarious path.”

Updated

Dr Catherine Haddon, a senior fellow at the Institute for Government, spoke to BBC news earlier. (I’ve only just had a chance to write up my notes.)

We were due to have a Queen’s speech and prorogation anyway but to do it right now, given everything that is going on and given the emphasis that is going to be on parliament in the effort by some MPs to try and stop a no-deal Brexit, it does seem like a very obvious move to try and cut down the time available to anti-no deal MPs to be able to do something about it.

She said we could expect a showdown between the government and MPs next week.

We heard in the last week or so a lot of noises about whether or not Boris Johnson would be able to find a deal, [whether he] was making progress possibly with EU leaders about when he might be able to do that, and there was some speculation that that might stop Conservative MPs wanting to go to a showdown with their own government too early and that they would actually give the government time. I think this changes that.

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The first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, has renewed his calls for a second EU referendum in response to today’s prorogation news.

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This is a good quick backgrounder from the House of Commons library on how exactly proroguing parliament works.

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A petition calling on the government not to prorogue parliament has already received more than 14,000 signatures.

Its text reads: “Parliament must not be prorogued or dissolved unless and until the article 50 period has been sufficiently extended or the UK’s intention to withdraw from the EU has been cancelled.”

Updated

The Financial Times’s Sebastian Payne is reporting that the government will call an election if MPs manage to pass a vote of no confidence next week.

SNP says legal action to block suspension of parliament will be speeded up

The SNP MP Joanna Cheery has confirmed that she has spoken to her legal team about speeding up the action in the Scottish courts to stop Boris Johnson shutting down parliament, which was due to be heard of 6 September.

Ian Murray, another of the cross-party group of more than 70 MPs and peers behind the action, said they would consider seeking an interim interdict (similar to an injunction in England and Wales) in the court of session to block prorogation.

Led by Jolyon Maugham QC’s Good Law Project, the group had been seeking a ruling from the court of session to prevent the prime minister going to the Queen with a request for prorogation until all appeals were exhausted.

Cherry told reporters on Tuesday the team were prepared to get a judge “out of their bed in the middle of the night” to block prorogation.

Meanwhile, the SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, has described Johnson as a “dictator”, saying: “The Tory leader has no mandate, no majority and is acting like a dictator by attempting to curtail parliament to get his way.

“The SNP will do everything we can to stop Brexit and prevent a no-deal disaster. It is vital that MPs from across the parties urgently pull together to stop Boris Johnson driving Scotland and the UK off a cliff edge.”

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John Bercow says prorogation of parliament 'a constitutional outrage'

The Speaker, John Bercow, has issued an extraordinary statement. “I have had no contact from the government, but if the reports that it is seeking to prorogue parliament are confirmed, this move represents a constitutional outrage,” he says.

Updated

Here’s the full text of the prime minister’s letter to MPs.

The prime minister has written to MPs setting out plans to suspend parliament.

Philip Hammond: suspending parliament "profoundly undemocratic"

The former chancellor Philip Hammond has said it would be “a constitutional outrage” if parliament were prevented from holding the government to account. Hammond quit the cabinet before Boris Johnson became prime minister and has become a leading opponent of no-deal Brexit.

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Downing Street has sent through its formal announcement. Here are the key points.

  • Boris Johnson has briefed cabinet colleagues that the government will “bring forward an ambitious new legislative programme for MPs’ approval”, and that the current parliamentary session will be brought to an end.
  • He has spoken to the Queen to request an end to the current parliamentary session in the second sitting week in September.
  • Following the conclusion of the traditional party conference season, the second session of this parliament will commence with a Queen’s speech on Monday 14 October.
  • “A central feature of the legislative programme will be the government’s number one legislative priority – if a new deal is forthcoming at European council – to introduce a withdrawal agreement bill and move at pace to secure its passage before 31 October.”
  • “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 the prime minister to put a fresh domestic programme in front of MPs for debate and scrutiny while also ensuring that there is good time before and after the European council for Parliament to further consider Brexit issues.”
  • Votes on the Queen’s speech are likely to fall on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October.

And here’s a statement from the prime minister:

We must focus on crucial public priorities – helping the NHS, fighting violent crime, investing in infrastructure and science and cutting the cost of living.

We have made an important start – funding for 20,000 extra police officers and new investment in our NHS – but to deliver on the public’s priorities we require a new session and a Queen’s speech.

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.

Updated

Here is Boris Johnson’s letter to MPs confirming that parliament will be prorogued. It starts: “I hope you had an enjoyable and productive summer recess, with the opportunity for some rest ahead of the return of the house.” He says he will request an end to the parliamentary session in the second sitting week of September.

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Boris Johnson confirms Queens speech on 14 October

Boris Johnson has been speaking to the broadcast media. He confirmed that the Queen’s speech would be held on 14 October and said the move to suspend parliament was purely about “getting on with plans to take this country forward”.

As I said on the steps of Downing Street, we’re not going to wait until 31 October before getting on with our plans to take this country forward. This is a new government with a very exciting agenda ... We have to be bringing forward new and important bills. That’s why we are going to have a Queen’s speech and we are going to do it on 14 October.

He denied that it was a move to deny MPs the time they needed to debate and vote on Brexit.

That is completely untrue. If you look at what we’re doing we are bringing forward a new legislative programme on crime, on hospitals, making sure that we have the education funding that we need and there will be ample time on both sides of that crucial 17 October summit, ample time in parliament for MPs to debate the EU to debate Brexit and all the other issues.

Asked if he was planning a general election, he said:

No, all you should take from this is that we are doing exactly what I said on the steps of Downing Street, which is we must get on now with our legislative domestic agenda.

Updated

Sturgeon: MPs must work together to block PM's plans

Scotland’s first minister has tweeted, saying that unless MPs work together to stop Johnson, today could go down as “a dark one indeed for UK democracy”.

She called on the Scottish Conservatives to back a cross-party effort to try to block the suspension of parliament.

The Guardian’s Scotland correspondent, Libby Brooks, has just pointed out that the SNP party conference will fall right across the date of the proposed Queen’s speech.

Updated

Craig Oliver, who was director of communications at No 10 under David Cameron, has tweeted:

Updated

More reaction from outraged opposition MPs is coming in. Anna Soubry, the leader of Change UK, has said UK democracy is under threat from “a ruthless PM”.

Updated

The Conservative rebel Dominic Grieve has been speaking to BBC News. The former attorney general, who opposes a no-deal Brexit, said he would consult with likeminded MPs over the next few days ahead of parliament’s return next week. He said they would try to take steps to try to ensure that prorogation would not happen and suggested there could be a vote of no confidence in the government.

I think that the prime minster’s decision is deeply questionable and frankly pretty outrageous. He knows very well that we are in the middle of a national crisis. He knows very well that parliament is very concerned about the possibility of a no-deal Brexit and this has very little to do with starting a new session of parliament. It is a deliberate attempt to make sure parliament doesn’t sit for a five week perio …

This is an attempt to govern without parliament. It is pretty unprecedented and I think the government will come to regret it.

When opposition leaders met yesterday they stressed they would prioritise legislative measures to try to stop a no-deal Brexit, rather than holding a vote of no confidence in the government, but Grieve said a vote of confidence was now more likely.

If it is impossible to prevent prorogation then i think it is going to be very difficult for people like myself to keep confidence in the government and I could well see why the leader of the opposition would wish to table a motion for a vote of no confidence …

I’ve always been of the view that bringing down the administration which is made up of a party of which I am a member is something I would only do as a last resort and that remains my position and I don’t wish to do it f there is any way of avoiding it. But if there is no other way of avoiding it it may be the only thing I can do.

Conservative MP Dominic Grieve described the move to suspend parliament as outrageous.
Conservative MP Dominic Grieve described the move to suspend parliament as outrageous. Photograph: Simon Dawson/Reuters

Updated

The Observer’s political editor, Toby Helm, tweets that his paper reported on Sunday that Boris Johnson had asked the attorney general, Geoffrey Cox, whether parliament could be shut down for five weeks from 9 September. He said the report was rubbished by No 10.

Updated

Best for Britain, a group committed to stopping Brexit “through any democratic means”, have issued a statement.

The group’s chief executive, Naomi Smith, said:

It would make no sense for the Queen to back this deeply undemocratic, unconstitutional and fundamentally political manoeuvre from the government.

If the Queen is asked to help, she would do well to remember history doesn’t look too kindly on royals who aid and abet the suspension of democracy.

Updated

John Redwood, the Conservative MP and arch-Eurosceptic, is going along with the “business as usual” line.

This is from Labour’s Yvette Cooper. She says the government’s move is “deeply dangerous and irresponsible”.

Updated

This is from Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesman, Tom Brake. He says the “declaration of war will be met with an iron fist”.

More from the Guardian’s chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot.

Updated

This from the chairman of the Conservative party, James Cleverly, demonstrates the line the government is going to take – that this move is business as usual.

And here is our story.

Ministers could move on Wednesday to suspend parliament for up to five weeks, which would prevent MPs from planning legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit, the Guardian understands.

Senior sources said a privy council of senior ministers was preparing to meet the Queen at Balmoral this week, perhaps as soon as Wednesday to set this in motion.

Opposition MPs condemn moves to suspend parliament

MPs have already started condemning the reported plans on Twitter.

Updated

So, to recap, the BBC is reporting that the government is to ask the Queen to suspend parliament days after MPs return from recess.

A Number 10 source told the BBC’s political editor, Laura Kuenssberg, that this would allow Boris Johnson’s new administration to hold a Queen’s Speech on 14 October. This will leave MPs with very little time to attempt to pass laws that could stop a no deal Brexit.

Here is the BBC’s story.

And this from the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg.

Updated

Government expected to ask Queen to suspend parliament from mid-September

More from our chief political correspondent, Jessica Elgot, on reports that a recess until mid-October could be on the agenda of a privy council meeting this week.

Updated

Good morning and welcome to the Guardian politics live blog.

  • Following the surprise announcement yesterday afternoon that the first major speech by the chancellor, Sajid Javid – due to be held today – was to cancelled, the Treasury has confirmed that the one-year spending review, which had been due to take place later this year, would happen on 4 September, the day after MPs return to parliament. The announcement has added fuel to speculation the government could be planning an early general election.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Javid pledged increased spending on priority areas of schools, police and health, but said there would be no “blank cheque” for departments.

Thanks to the hard work of the British people over the last decade, we can afford to spend more on the people’s priorities, without breaking the rules around what the government should spend, and we’ll do that in a few key areas like schools, hospitals and police.

But at the same time, it’s vital that we continue to live within our means as a country. Unlike the Labour party, we don’t believe in just throwing money at a problem. And especially at a time when the global economy is slowing, it’s important that we don’t let our public finances get out of control.

So I can confirm that next week’s spending round will be delivered within the current fiscal rules. As every household knows, that will mean making choices and prioritising where we focus spending, and any departments expecting a blank cheque will be sorely disappointed.

  • Jeremy Corbyn yesterday backed cross-party plans to delay a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson and prioritise rebel MPs’ attempts to use legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit. Plans are set to be agreed by the end of the week.

Leaked emails revealed at the weekend that the prime minister, Boris Johnson, had sought legal advice about proroguing parliament for five weeks from early September, when MPs are already expected to break briefly for party conferences. A new session of parliament would then begin with a fresh Queen’s speech packed with manifesto-friendly measures on or around 14 October. Such a move would have to be approved by the privy council. It would give MPs little chance for parliamentary manoeuvring, but could just about allow time for a vote on any reworked deal Johnson manages to strike with the EU27, before the crucial European council meeting on 17 October.

  • Last night, the Guardian published details of a raft of dramatic and controversial education policy proposals set out in a confidential leaked briefing paper. The measures include billions of pounds in new funding, a crackdown on student behaviour and a further wave of free schools, which are set to be announced by the government within days.

This morning, ministers have been accused of trying to act tough with reforms that would emphasise excluding unruly children from schools and using “reasonable force” against them. The Liberal Democrats’ education spokeswoman, Layla Moran, said:

We know the role that school exclusions have played in the rise of knife crime, but once again the Tories are trying to sound tough whilst failing to look at the evidence.

The Conservative government would rather kick kids out of school and advocate the use of the ambiguously termed ‘reasonable force’ as discipline, which will cause parents, children and teachers additional stress, rather than actually putting the time and investment in to ensure all children receive a good education and have a positive experience within our schools.

I will be covering breaking political news as it happens, as well as bringing you the best reaction, comment and analysis from the web. If you want to get in contact, tweet me at @fperraudin.

Updated

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