We should be in the Commons, not at Conference
Liberal Democrat members have passed an emergency motion calling on the Conservative Government to recall Parliament immediately so that it can sit until Article 50 is extended.
The motion demands that Boris Johnson asks the Queen to revoke the prorogation order, and states that future decisions about when Parliament sits should be handed to MPs.
Liberal Democrat members have also reaffirmed their commitment to a package of reforms that would make the Government more accountable. These include giving a House Business Committee control of the Order Paper and ensuring a new Prime Minister has to win a vote of confidence before they take office.
The motion renews the Liberal Democrats’ campaign for proportional representation in elections and an elected House of Lords.
Speaking after the motion was passed, Liberal Democrat Stop Brexit Spokesman Tom Brake MP said:
“Boris Johnson has shut down democracy and silenced people’s voices in the middle of the biggest crisis in recent history.
“MPs should be in Parliament, holding the Tory Government to account, and stopping them from trying to force the country into a disastrous no-deal Brexit. It is absurd that it may take a Supreme Court ruling to allow MPs to do their job.
“An unelected Prime Minister, with no majority, cannot be allowed to trample over our democracy. That is why Liberal Democrats have passed this motion, calling for parliament to be immediately recalled. Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for the people.”
The Liberal Democrats have today announced that there are now 120,845 members of the party.