British MPs decried Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament as reckless and unconstitutional on Wednesday, with senior figures suggesting radical action including protests, a general strike and civil service disobedience.
MPs and other senior politicians suggested a number of increasingly drastic proposals to take on Johnson. Robert Kerslake, the former head of the civil service, suggested civil servants needed to examine their conscience as to whether they could support the government’s actions.
“We are reaching the point where the civil service must consider putting its stewardship of the country ahead of service to the government of the day,” Lord Kerslake said.
The Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, and the Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, demanded an intervention from the Queen, suggesting the prime minister had put the monarch in an unforgivable position that set her at odds with the majority in parliament.
Corbyn said there was “a danger that the royal prerogative is being set directly against the wishes of a majority of the House of Commons”.
He said the granting of Johnson’s request would “deprive the electorate of the opportunity to have their representatives hold the government to account, make any key decisions and ensure that there is a lawful basis for action taken”.
Swinson said she had also requested a meeting with the Queen. “This is a crucial time in our country’s history, and yet our prime minister is arrogantly attempting to force through a no-deal Brexit against the democratic will. He is outrageously stifling the voices of both the people and their representatives,” she said.
“It is appalling that the prime minister has forced opposition leaders into taking this action. However, we must take all measures necessary to avoid a disastrous no-deal Brexit, for which there is no mandate.”
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