- Question
Was Boris Johnson's move to prorogue parliament legal?
Boris Johnson took the decision to prorogue parliament for five weeks in the run-up to Britain's deadline for leaving the EU on October 31. His government argues that he was legally able to do so. The preceding parliamentary session was the longest on record and the prorogation was designed to bring it to a natural close. Opposition MPs believe Johnson's motives were to stymy debate and were, therefore, unconstitutional.
No, it was illegal
This position holds that Boris Johnson's 2019 prorogation of Parliament was illegal. It argues that the move was without legal precedent and breached the British constitution — that he effectively lied to the Queen — a view the UK Supreme Court went on to uphold.
Yes, it was legal
Parliament is the master of its own fate and as the leader of the majority party in parliament, Boris Johnson was well within his rights to bring the longest parliamentary session in history to a close.
Legal or illegal, it's pointless
Johnson doesn't command a majority in the House of Commons, therefore, any prorogation to outline his legislative agenda is pointless as it will never materialise.