The following motion was passed at Lewisham Deptford CLP on 11 July. We think it is very much to the point. Please circulate, discuss, put similar to your CLP or union and get organised!

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Block Johnson’s Brexit coup threat!



Speaking in Bournemouth on 27 June, Boris Johnson threatened to suspend Parliament to force through a “no deal” hard Brexit.



Discussing the idea of “proroguing” parliament – sending MPs home so they can’t stop him overseeing a “no deal” Brexit – he said he hopes this scenario will not be necessary but that “it would be absolutely folly to rule it out”.



It would be folly for us to rule out the possibility of Johnson orchestrating this kind of coup in order to push through a hard Brexit.



Such a move, in addition to facilitating a disastrous outcome aimed against the working class, would be a major step towards right-wing authoritarian rule on the model of Trump, Putin, Modi, Salvini, Orban, Erdogan and the rest.



We call on the party and trade unions to speak out and lead a vocal campaign to warn of this danger to democracy and the interests of workers and seek to block it. This should include demonstrations against the threat of Parliament being prorogued.



If there is a move to prorogue Parliament we need direct action including, if possible, industrial action to stand up for democracy.



We will publish this motion and write publicly to the Leader’s and Shadow Chancellor’s offices, to the NEC, to national unions and to other CLPs about this.



We will convene an emergency local meeting for Labour and union members to discuss this threat.



Johnson will probably be Prime Minister in two weeks. This is urgent.