Statement on Prorogation of Parliament. 28 August 2019
Parliament gave the British people a choice of whether or not to continue with our membership of the EU. A referendum was promised by both the Labour and Conservative Parties and both promised to honour the result. In their 2010 manifesto, the Liberal Democrats also pledged an in/out referendum.
It is now three years since that referendum. I did not want us to leave the EU and campaigned locally and nationally against doing so. But the electorate was not convinced, so we lost. I accept their decision.
So in Parliament, I supported the deal offered by the EU on three occasions. I regret this did not carry the support of the House of Commons. Before each vote, I did my best to persuade colleagues.
But we still reached the stalemate that faces the Government and the country. So I believe it is right that the Prime Minister and the government bring this to a conclusion. The deadline of 31 October cannot pass without implementing the decision taken three years ago by the British people.
It is usual for Parliament not to sit during party conferences, which this year would be from 12 September until 9 October. So we will sit for only five days fewer than had been planned. I cannot imagine what MPs could discuss on those few days which they have not covered in the last three years and over 500 hours of parliamentary debate.