The Queen’s Speech in December

This was first posted on Facebook on 19th December 2019, with support from my Ko-Fi network.

Well, today I watched the Queen’s Speech and debate.

The Queen brought Charles along. It’s Take Your Heir To Work Day, even if he hasn’t got any. She didn’t wear her coronation robes because this was a quickie Opening of Parliament – as was the one after the 2017 general election – and she could therefore wear half-mourning for the UK’s departure from the EU and arrive – and leave – in a car.

Writing About Brexit: the No to No Deal Brexit Bill

This was first posted on Facebook on 4th September 2019, with support from my Ko-Fi network.

Yesterday (see both of yesterday’s posts, here and here), Boris Johnson became the first Prime Minister since Archibald Primrose in 1894 to lose his first vote in the House of Commons. (And all of the Primrose government’s legislation was blocked by the House of Lords.)

Writing About Brexit: Proroguing Parliament

This was first posted on Facebook on 28th August 2019, and repostd here with support from my Ko-Fi network.

Boris Johnson will prorogue Parliament from the 2nd week in September – week beginning 9th September – to 14th October: Queen’s Speech 14th October.

This means that if MPs in the Remain Alliance intend to do anything short of revoking Article 50 to prevent no-deal Brexit on the 31st of October, they have to do that next week – if it’s not done by 6th September, it won’t happen.

It is still possible that if a majority of MPs vote to do it, they can order Boris Johnson to revoke Article 50 at any time.

Because a no-confidence vote under the rules of the Fixed Term Parliament Act requires a fortnight’s grace between losing a no-confidence vote and a general election, Boris Johnson has ensured that unless a no-confidence vote is held next week, he is secure as Prime Minister between 14th and 31st October – he can ensure No Deal Brexit goes ahead.

The Tories ignored 6.1 million signatories to the Revoke Article 50 petition, but still: Do Not Prorogue Parliament