This will not be a total surprise to the government which is one reason that Johnson and Mogg in their speeches remained straight-faced and insisted that the prorogation was normal, and related only to the conference window and the Queen's Speech.
The question of whether Johnson (Cummings) can find a legal loophole in the no-deal bill is more interesting, as is what Johnson will do. Even if there is a helpful technicality, if Johnson ignores the law he will still have knowingly defied a parliamentary majority which, it seems to me, is the essence of the situation.
He's in a cleft stick, but it was his own hubris that put him there. I expect he'll lose some more friends soon.
Labour's position of not backing either remain or leave could be inspired. It dilutes the 'betrayal' of their leaver-supporters, gives hope to the remainer ones, and leaves the Conservatives to hang themselves however they choose. It's also entirely consistent with Corbyn's hobby of perching on fences.
|