MPs are right to be angry about Johnson’s suspension of parliament – but the Supreme Court has the power now

Should the court rule against the government, it is unclear what exactly would happen next. For now, though, the battle has shifted from being a political to a legal one

‘All eyes now turn to the Supreme Court, where the UK’s most senior judges will decide whether the prime minister’s request to prorogue parliament was lawful’ (PRU/AFP)

The MPs came from every corner of the kingdom to decry Boris Johnson’s decision to suspend parliament. Or that was the idea.

In truth, many were already in Westminster for meetings and events that had been scheduled long before the government decided it had had enough of parliamentary democracy for a few weeks.

The group gathered outside the St Stephens entrance to the Palace of Westminster – the same spot where, seemingly a lifetime ago, hardline Tory Brexiteers had declared their opposition to Theresa May and her Brexit deal.

Now, it was the anti-Brexit MPs’ turn. Thirty or so of them stood stony-faced and solemn, to condemn Johnson and his apparent dislike of parliamentary scrutiny. It was a photo opportunity designed to make a clear point: even though the government has sent us packing, MPs are still here.

Jo Swinson was there, Labour’s Stephen Doughty and Hilary Benn, new Lib Dem MPs Luciana Berger and Chuka Umunna, the SNP’s Kirsty Blackman. More joined as it went on.

And yet for all the anger, there was really not much they could do. Despite talk of a House of Commons sit-in, there was no grand gesture.

Ultimately it was all largely futile. Parliament is still suspended, MPs have little to do beyond carrying on with their meetings, returning to their constituencies and planning their next move. It is not entirely clear what that will be.

All eyes now turn to the Supreme Court next Tuesday, where the UK’s most senior judges will decide whether or not the prime minister’s request for the Queen to prorogue parliament was lawful.

Should the court rule against the government, it is unclear what exactly would happen next. Johnson’s team believes the Privy Council would have to reconvene to set a new date for parliament to sit, but others in government say the suspension would effectively be declared void and MPs could resume sitting immediately.

For now, though, the battle has shifted from being a political to a legal one. For all their angry words, no MP can overturn the decision to close down parliament. Only the judges can do that. Whether they will, will become clear next week.

Yours

Benjamin Kentish

Political correspondent