This archive report was first published on 28 August 2019.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to suspend the U.K. Parliament, a move that has sparked widespread criticism from opposition politicians and some of his fellow Conservatives.
According to a letter sent to all members of Parliament on Wednesday, Johnson intends to resume Parliament on October 14, with a speech by Queen Elizabeth II laying out the agenda of the Conservative government.
The move would limit the time available to opponents of a no-deal Brexit, who had been hoping to organize a vote to prohibit the government from going through with it.
Opposition politicians, including Labour's Yvette Cooper and Conservative's Philip Hammond, have reacted angrily to the news, with Cooper calling it a 'deeply dangerous and irresponsible way to govern.'
Johnson has repeatedly said that he wants an agreement with Brussels before Brexit takes effect, but that Britain will leave as scheduled on October 31, with or without a deal.
On Tuesday, a group of opposition lawmakers agreed to coordinate towards a vote that would prohibit the government from going through with a no-deal Brexit.
Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament has been met with widespread criticism, with many accusing him of trying to concentrate power in his own hands.
