The news had been in the air for days, but many thought that Boris Johnson would not have had the courage to go through with it. Instead, the British Premier amazed everyone, making an unprecedented move.
The Government have asked the Queen to deliver her address to the Commons on 14 October, just two weeks before the new Brexit deadline. A request that de facto will cause the current parliamentary session to end on 11 September, determining its reopening after Elizabeth II's speech. The news was announced to the BBC by Nick Robinson, and subsequently confirmed by the Premier in a letter sent to UK MPs.
In the UK, the suspension of parliament is a step that takes place every year, allowing the government in office to establish the new legislative agenda. Traditionally the stop lasts about a week, while in this case it will last for about 4 weeks.
Simply put, the gates of Westminster will remain closed until mid-October, except for the first week of September, blocking any attempt by the opposition to prevent the No deal or, in any case, to put his mouth on the path that will lead to the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
Despite Johnson's denials, Downing Street's purpose is clear: back to work on October 14, MEPs will not have time to vote on legislation calling for a further postponement of Brexit or banning the No Dealnor to advance a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister. The only possibility would be to carry forward an indicative motion which, however, the Government could ignore.
“We need to move forward with our domestic agenda which is why we have announced a Queen's Address for October 14,” Johnson said, adding that “there will be enough time” in view of the crucial European council of 17 and 18 October and after the summit “for parliamentarians to discuss the EU, Brexit and all the other issues”
It should be emphasized that the Premier's decision comes less than 24 hours later the meeting between the main opposition parties, in which the number one of the Labor Party, Jeremy Corbyn supported the need to create a shared plan that allows the opposition to use all the legal tools necessary to avert the hard Brexit hypothesis.
Johnson's move immediately sparked the reaction of british politiciansi, including some members of the Conservative Party. The Speaker of the House, John Bercow said that "I have had no contact with the government, but if its intention were to be confirmed, that would represent a constitutional outrage".
"This is a coup against Parliament, against voters and MPs,” Diane Abbott, Home Affairs spokeswoman for Labor, said in a tweet.
In the meantime, there are already those who are starting to organize for take the matter to court which may have the power to neutralize Johnson's move. The spokeswoman for the Scottish National Party, Joanna Cherry has already announced her intention to go to the Scottish courts. And the British people in general have begun to mobilize against the decision - the online petition on the site petition.parliament.uk has surpassed 1,1 million signatures, less than a day since it launched.
In addition to British politicians, a very strong reaction has come from the markets with the pound which came to lose more than 1% against the dollar and against the Euro. The London Stock Exchange rose by 0,2%.
