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The Queen will be asked by the government to suspend Parliament days after MPs return from recess - just weeks before the Brexit deadline.

Make no mistake about it: what we’ve witnessed today is nothing short of the start of an anti-democratic coup worthy of a tin-pot dictator.

The Government, spurred on by Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party snapping at its heels, have called on the Queen to help them force through a damaging No Deal Brexit.

This is dangerous move which could kill the existing relationship between the monarchy and Parliament, requiring the Queen to stay away from political decision-making.

That tradition has been upheld for hundreds of years – and Boris Johnson has torn it up in the space of a month in pursuit of his political ambitions.

But this coup will have other long-term consequences for Brits up and down the country.

(Image: PA)

At the last election the majority of parties pledged they would not allow No Deal and in the referendum even the leavers said that No deal was a bad idea.

By forcing through a No Deal Brexit, the government will have ignored widespread warnings about food and medicine shortages, NHS ward closures and security risks. It will cost the public billions and usher in a new era of austerity.

Because of these dangers and strong evidence that the public does not want a No Deal Brexit, MPs have explicitly voted against a No Deal Brexit on no fewer than three occasions.

The Government’s move to try to suspend Parliament is an attempt to force through No Deal anyway – against Parliament and the people’s will.

I therefore call on Parliament and the people to resist this deeply anti-democratic move, using any peaceful means available to them.

(Image: Peter Summers)

Boris Johnson's breakneck countdown to Brexit September 3: Parliament returns after summer break. MPs' chance to vote no confidence in government or block no-deal Brexit

Parliament returns after summer break. MPs' chance to vote no confidence in government or block no-deal Brexit September 4: Chancellor announces Whitehall spending for 2020/21

Chancellor announces Whitehall spending for 2020/21 September 12: Parliament suspended

Parliament suspended September 22-25: Labour Party conference

Labour Party conference September 23-27: Boris Johnson speaks at UN General Assembly in this week and could visit the White House

Boris Johnson speaks at UN General Assembly in this week and could visit the White House September 29 - October 2: Tory Party conference

Tory Party conference October 14: Parliament returns with Queen's Speech - but is then snarled up in a week of debates

Parliament returns with Queen's Speech - but is then snarled up in a week of debates October 17: European Council meeting. The last chance to get a Brexit deal with 27 EU leaders

European Council meeting. The last chance to get a Brexit deal with 27 EU leaders October 21-22: Votes on the Queen's Speech

Votes on the Queen's Speech Final week: Vote on any plan Boris Johnson gets for Brexit

Vote on any plan Boris Johnson gets for Brexit October 31: Brexit happens, with or without a deal

Last year I picked up Parliament’s ceremonial mace in protest at the last Prime Minister’s decision to call off a crucial Brexit vote.

Today, my shadow cabinet colleagues have pledged to occupy Parliament to resist the greatest abuse of executive power in living memory.

I chaired the Socialist Campaign Group rally at Labour Conference where Laura Smith MP called for a general strike to stop the Government in its tracks.

Whilst it might have looked rash for some then, now it looks more and more like the only way forward to stop our country falling into the hands of the undemocratic right.

If the Government tries to drive No Deal through by stopping Parliament from sitting, we cannot just rely on the courts and parliamentary process. We need a mass movement of resistance, with marches, civil disobedience and protests in every village, town and city of this country.

If the Government plans to ignore the will of Parliament and the people, then that is a coup. The resistance starts now.