I write to express my complete and utter outrage and horror at the announcement that Boris Johnson has so cynically moved to suspend parliament until 14 October.

Let me be quite clear about just how I feel: I have never, in all of my 50 years, felt so incandescently angry about any political issue.

This is a seizure of power which amounts to a coup d’etat. I am quite sure that MPs do not need to be reminded that UK sovereignty resides in the parliament, and not in the executive. For the executive to attempt to suspend the rights of MPs to sit in parliament at such a crucial point in British history is a subversion of that sovereignty of the most transparent, calculated and frankly disgusting sort.

This is a grab for power by the prime minister and nothing else, made with only the interests of the Conservative Party in mind, while wholly disregarding the parliament and the rest of the nation, done on the very flimsiest of pretexts.

The pleadings of Conservative Party apologists that this is somehow “business as usual” and that the “government is to hold a Queen’s Speech, just as all new governments do” (James Cleverly, Conservative Party chair, on Twitter) are utterly transparent. Cleverly should be ashamed of himself.

Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Show all 29 1 /29 Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament An anti-Brexit supporter raises a sign during a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Downing Street Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament to Downing Street TOPSHOT - Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a protest march from Britain's Houses of Parliament to Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Wednesday that the suspension of parliament would be extended until October 14 -- just two weeks before the UK is set to leave the EU -- enraging anti-Brexit MPs. MPs will return to London later than in recent years, giving pro-EU lawmakers less time than expected to thwart Johnson's Brexit plans before Britain is due to leave the European Union on October 31. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Downing Street Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament epa07799808 A protestor outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, Britain, 28 August 2019. The UK government is to suspend Parliament after the summer break, a move that might block MPs from voting against a possible no-deal Brexit.. EPA/WILL OLIVER WILL OLIVER EPA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Whitehall TOPSHOT - Demonstrators hold placards as they protest on Whitehall, near the entrance to Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Houses of Parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Protestors from the European Movement in Scotland hold a walking vigil on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, to demonstrate against Prime Minister Boris Johnson temporarily closing down the Commons from the second week of September until October 14 when there will be a Queen's Speech to open a new session of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Jane Barlow PA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters shout slogans as they gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters take part in a protest at College Green near the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament, London, to demonstrate against Prime Minister Boris Johnson temporarily closing down the Commons from the second week of September until October 14 when there will be a Queen's Speech to open a new session of Parliament. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 28, 2019. See PA story POLITICS Brexit. Photo credit should read: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire Kirsty O'Connor PA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament epa07799846 Protesters gather outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, Britain, 28 August 2019. The UK government is to suspend Parliament after the summer break, a move that might block MPs from voting against a possible no-deal Brexit. EPA/WILL OLIVER WILL OLIVER EPA Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters gather outside the Prime Minister's residence 10 Downing Street in London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters carry a flare near the Cenotaph in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday to suspend Parliament, throwing down the gauntlet to his critics and causing outrage among opposition leaders who will have even less time to thwart a no-deal Brexit. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) Matt Dunham AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside of Downing Street in London on August 28, 2019. - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sparked fury Wednesday among pro-Europeans and MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit by forcing the suspension of parliament weeks before Britain's EU departure date. The pound slid on the surprise news, which opponents branded a "coup" and a "declaration of war" but Johnson claimed was necessary to allow him to pursue a "bold and ambitious" new domestic legislative agenda. (Photo by DANIEL SORABJI / AFP)DANIEL SORABJI/AFP/Getty Images DANIEL SORABJI AFP/Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament Anti-Brexit supporters continue to participate in a late evening protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament London metropolitan police talk with anti-Brexit supporters in front of the Houses of Parliament in central London, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson maneuvered on Wednesday to give his political opponents even less time to block a no-deal Brexit before the Oct. 31 withdrawal deadline, winning Queen Elizabeth II's approval to suspend Parliament. (AP Photo/Vudi Xhymshiti) Vudi Xhymshiti AP Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: A Pro-EU supporter raises her fist during a protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images Thousands protest after Boris Johnson requests to suspend parliament LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 28: Pro-EU supporters protest outside the Houses of Parliament on August 28, 2019 in London, England. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has written to Cabinet colleagues telling them that his government has requested the Queen suspend parliament for longer than the usual conference season. Parliament will return for a new session with a Queen's Speech on 14 October 2019. Some Remain supporting MPs believe this move to be a ploy to hinder legislation preventing a No Deal Brexit. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)(Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers Getty Images

As John Bercow, the speaker, has said this morning: “However it is dressed up, it is blindingly obvious that the purpose of prorogation now would be to stop parliament debating Brexit and performing its duty in shaping a course of the country.” His words are already echoed by Philip Hammond describing this action as “profoundly undemocratic”.

I grew up believing that the United Kingdom’s system of parliamentary democracy was one of the greatest and strongest in the world, with checks and balances built up over many centuries to avoid the misuse of power. Boris Johnson’s actions show quite clearly that he believes that he may ride roughshod over these checks and balances. Such belief shows, in my mind, that he is clearly not fit to serve as prime minister.

If his action is allowed to stand unchallenged, then the world will see our democracy dealt a serious blow, the likes of which have not been seen in centuries.

The UK parliament must be allowed to continue to sit until the issue of Brexit on 31 October is properly and democratically resolved, in whichever direction. A no-deal Brexit cannot be legitimately engineered in this fashion.

I believe it is every MP’s duty, in this time of national and constitutional crisis, to stand for and defend the parliament and the good of the nation, ahead of any party-political allegiance.

MPs must act to defend the sovereignty of parliament and ensure that parliament prevents a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. Such prevention may require uncommon action – it may mean that another prime minister falls, even a government. It may require a government of national unity. But high principles are at stake here, higher even than Brexit, and those who would do such damage to our nation must not be allowed to do so without a fight.

Dan Shannon

Australia

The real enemy is in view

Future historians, studying our depressing period, will surely be interested in the ingenious and time-tested use of the Marxist bogeyman to deflect from the right-wing plot against our democracy.

Even now, as Jeremy Corbyn leads the fight to defend parliament and prevent a no-deal Brexit, the most cynical delegitimisation campaign of recent years is in full force.

“The enemy is on the right!” as Joseph Wirth pleaded in the Reichstag in 1922.

“I am convinced I see quite clearly ... [what] it is that stands in the way ... It is a word ... of which a clever and injurious use is made to frighten the average citizen. I mean the word Marxist,” wrote Thomas Mann, imploringly, in 1930.

The enemy is at the gates. It is time to wake up.

Emma Jones

Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Civil unrest is on the horizon

I have read your online coverage of this event today with rising anger. This is not democracy. This is what happens when there is no written constitution. So the PM wants to “take back control” so he can do what he wants to with the country and ignore the devastating effect this will have on the union and its people. Civil unrest must now seem inevitable.

Elizabeth Hart

Battle, East Sussex

MPs must act

Parliament must move next week to quickly pass an act which gives it power over prorogation – ie to reverse, shorten it etc, and then exercise that power.

This would curtail the government’s prerogative powers. A comparable limit on these powers was made by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act – before that the prime minister had unilateral power to call elections. Calling elections is now rightly a power of parliament not government.

This would be a progressive and overdue change because it places a crucial function of democracy – whether our legislature remains in active session – in the hands of our elected representatives.

Nick Cox

London SW15

The no-deal psyche

I think I finally understand how no-dealers justify their contradictory position of supporting suspending our parliamentary democracy to facilitate an unmandated EU withdrawal, while simultaneously screaming that our democracy has been subverted and we must restore parliamentary sovereignty.

For them, the result of the 2016 referendum trumps everything; the electorate has spoken. The outcome of the 2017 general election is irrelevant because a candidate’s Brexit stance wasn’t the only deciding influence on how people voted. We now have a single-issue parliament. Its one job: to deliver Brexit. If MPs can’t do that, suspending parliament finally ends the democratic process which started with the referendum.

This sounds reasonable, if you ignore that ours is a representative democracy not a direct one. It also explains the Lib Dems’ desire for the current parliament to deliver a second referendum, as a general election has no significance for no dealers. However, they fail to acknowledge that a referendum win for Remain is uncertain, especially as the Lib Dems are merely offering a continuation of the status quo.

Leavers voted for change. Since joining the EEC, inequality has worsened. Home ownership is an unachievable dream, university education is costly, state pensions are insufficient and retirement age is increasing. We no longer own our major industries, services or infrastructure. Our state assets were not taken by the EU: the Tories sold them with the promise that we would all benefit. Now the profits are sent overseas, not to the exchequer.

Prior to the Thatcher government, the top rate of income tax was 95 per cent: it’s now 45 per cent. Business tax was 50 per cent: it’s now 20 per cent. Tax cuts (not immigration) have stripped our services of funds, which right-wing advocates of no-deal will extend once free from the protections of the EU.

The imminent suspension of parliament prevents the implementation of legislation to avert no deal. A no-confidence motion must be passed by MPs and a temporary government installed to secure an extension now.

Remainers must unite to offer a return to the socialist policies which fuelled the prosperity of the postwar era or risk a deepening of the inequality and lack of opportunities which motivated so many to vote for Brexit in the first place.

Ieuan Jehu

Totland Bay, Isle of Wight

Legal – but is it moral?

On TV news Jacob Rees Mogg could be heard telling a journalist that the prorogation was legal. Well, as a supposedly committed Christian he should heed his master’s teaching to the Pharisees that a legal act performed in the wrong spirit or for a wrongful purpose is immoral.