A PROTEST against the proroguing of Parliament is being held in Sanders Park tomorrow (Sunday) by anit-Brexit campaign group Worcestershire for Europe.
The #StopTheCoup event will be held at 2.30pm.
Group chair Stuart Thomson said: “We are now known in the area for our campaign for a People’s Vote.
“This weekend is different – it is about the attack on Parliamentary sovereignty that cannot be ignored.”
The group also criticised Bromsgrove MP and Chancellor Sajid Javid for his support of the move by Prime Minister Boris Johnson who announced on Wednesday he would be proroguing Parliament at the end of next week until October 14.
“This is not about Leave or Remain, it is about our MPs being able to do their job scrutinise the Government as they tackle biggest constitutional change since the Second World War.”
He added members of the public were invited to gather by the car-park for a peaceful all-age all-party gathering.
Opposers to the prorogation have accused the Government of deliberately suspending Parliament in a bid to reduce the amount of time to stop a no-deal Brexit.
But the PM argues a new Parliamentary session needs to be opened so the Government can map out its domestic agenda for the term, which includes investing in the NHS, dealing with violent crime and cutting the cost of living.
Mr Javid said: “We are currently in the longest Parliamentary session in almost 400 years and it’s crucial that we put a bold and ambitious domestic programme to MPs so that we can deliver on people’s priorities across the country.
“To do this we need a Queen’s Speech.
“This is about providing Parliament with a new legislative programme that will help the NHS, fight crime, invest in infrastructure and cut the cost of living.
“As we have said previously, prorogation to suspend Parliament, to block MPs further consideration of Brexit is not something we support.
“MPs will sit next week, the week after, the week before EU Council, and two weeks after.
“Not only that, but the Government will put its entire domestic agenda, and inevitably its approach to Brexit, to the vote as part of the Queen’s Speech, with major votes on Monday and Tuesday, October 21 and 22.”
Another county MP Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) has also defended the proroguing of Parliament.
He told The Standard he felt there had been a misunderstanding surrounding the proroguing of Parliament as the conference recess was due to start in mid-September and run until October and it was only a few extra days MPs would be away.
“Labour has been repeatedly saying we need a Queen’s Speech and we do – there is usually one every year.
“This has been the longest Parliamentary session in 400 years and this Government, with a new Prime Minister, needs the Queen’s Speech so we can clearly map out our domestic agenda.
“Brexit has already been discussed at length and there will be plenty of time before the recess and after it to debate the issues surrounding it.
“Also, the EU Council meeting takes place on October 17 and 18 so we can discuss that as well when Parliament returns.”
He said he, the Prime Minister and the Government were all determined to get an agreement to prevent the UK leaving without a deal.
And he criticised MPs of all parties for not supporting the deal former Prime Minister Theresa May had in place.
“I voted three times for that and all MPs had the chance to do the same – they are now the same ones who are vowing to do everything they can to prevent no-deal.”
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