Image copyright Reuters The government has confirmed it plans to prorogue Parliament next Tuesday and hold a Queen’s Speech on 14 October.
Boris Johnson’s last attempt to suspend Parliament in this way was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court.
But the government needs to bring the current parliamentary session to an end, before it can hold a Queen’s Speech setting out its agenda for the next session .
It means there will be no Prime Minister’s Questions next week.
The only time Boris Johnson – who missed PMQs on Wednesday due to his Conservative conference speech – has taken part in the session since becoming PM was on 4 September.
In a statement, No 10 said the planned prorogation – which must be approved by the Queen – would be “for the shortest time possible” to enable logistical and security preparations for the State Opening of Parliament.
The current Parliamentary session was thought to have come to an end in the early hours of Tuesday, 10 September.
But the Supreme Court ruled the prorogation unlawful, meaning the session did not technically end at all.
Downing Street said the Queen’s Speech would set out the government plans for the NHS, schools, tackling crime ,
But without a Commons majority, it is thought unlikely MPs would back the PM’s legislative agenda. *********
Number 10 had been studying the implications of the Supreme Court judgment – and will hope a shorter suspension of a few days rather than five weeks causes it less trouble.
It also avoids another potentially awkward conversation with the Palace about rescheduling the Queen’s plans.
Already, however, opposition parties have raised concerns.
A source told the BBC that Boris Johnson was trying to avoid Prime Minister’s Questions and Parliamentary scrutiny.
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