# Boris Johnson asks the Queen to suspend Parliament. **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 28, 2019, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350 "2019-08-28T10:51:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/61 "2019-09-05T01:24:03Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > 52% of them wanted Brexit. So, you’re saying that you feel that if one side gets more votes than the other side in an election, the side that gets the most votes should win? Interesting proposal. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/62 "2019-09-05T01:38:07Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > [This BBC article](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49551893) shows that, of those who voted Leave in 2016, only 73% support a no-deal Brexit. Overall, only 38% of British support a no-deal Brexit. While a minority, that is a disturbingly high number. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/63 "2019-09-05T02:03:31Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > 52% of them wanted Brexit. Yes, but not necessarily on any terms, however awful. They mustn’t be allowed to express a view about that, apparently. It would be antidemocratic, or something. Which I think give you the answer to your earlier question: > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > The question seems to be: Does the voice of the people matter in the UK? ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/64 "2019-09-05T02:14:15Z")
From [BBC article on polling](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49551893): > [@](#): > > So, why do the polls suggest more people oppose than support leaving without a deal? > > The answer lies in the views of those who did not vote three years ago. Only about one in five (21%) of non-voters support leaving without a deal, while twice as many (43%) are opposed. Also: > [@](#): > > Eight out of 10 Remain supporters claim that a no-deal Brexit would be a bad outcome. This is in line with the 76% who say they are against leaving the EU without a deal, when offered a straight choice between support and oppose. > > However, a different story emerges among Leave voters. > > The proportion who say that leaving without a deal would be a good outcome is 46%. This is well below the 73% who say they back leaving the EU without a deal, when offered a straight choice. > > Why the difference? > > About a quarter (27%) of Leave voters prefer to say a no-deal Brexit would be an “acceptable compromise”, rather than a “good outcome”. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/65 "2019-09-05T02:29:50Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > Hey Septimus, > > Listen to Northern Piper. He’s got better answers to your hypotheticals than I do. > > –Wrenching Spanners > > Harrumph! Damn Canadian. Can we change the subject to Westminster pubs? I’m fairly sure I know more about Westminster pubs than he does. Hey just because you invented it doesn’t keep the colonials from mastering it. Sorta like the fact that Australia, India and the Windies have won more Cricket World Cups than England. 😉 But I’m certainly open to learning more about Westminster pubs. Can I call on you next time I’m in London ? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/66 "2019-09-05T02:46:55Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > OK, so when May was ousted, it was presumed that Johnson now commanded the confidence of Parliament, which made him the Prime Minister. But now it turns out that, on the first test of his confidence, he failed. Does that mean that he was never actually Prime Minister at all? Does he go down in the historical rolls of Prime Ministers with an asterix next to his name? Was Parliament actually without a prime minister at all, this past while? No, he is the Prime Minister, no asterisk. You become PM by being appointed by the monarch. HM appointed Boris as PM. That makes him PM for realsies. The fact that it utens out Boris doesn’t command a majority in the Commons doesn’t undo that. Heck, in Canada we had one chap who was PM _twice_, even though he was defeated in two general elections and never won a general. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/67 "2019-09-05T04:23:44Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > So, you’re saying that you feel that if one side gets more votes than the other side in an election, the side that gets the most votes should win? > > Interesting proposal. In a referendum, sure. (I assume you’re hinting at how the US picks our president, and I’m sure you already well know that it’s not via a national popular vote). ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/68 "2019-09-05T04:54:51Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > In a referendum, sure. I’m not sure if you know but the referendum was not legally binding. Government decided to be bound by it. But the manner of Brexit was not part of the referendum so there is no thwarting the will of the people by fighting for a better Brexit. ---
**Author:** ![ishamael69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b9e5f3/32.png) [@ishamael69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ishamael69)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/69 "2019-09-05T04:55:28Z")
Question 1: What happens if Boris Johnson resigns on Oct 19th rather than carry the message? The way I understand it, the current coalition would have a chance to come up with a new PM. A majority of that coalition supports no deal Brexit, I believe. How long do they get to take deciding who the next PM is? Can they just dally from the 19th through the 31st? Question 2: Can the EU (who I presume can see all this going on) grant an extension to Brexit to parliament without being asked by the PM? ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/70 "2019-09-05T06:12:05Z")
> [@ishamael69](#): > > Question 1: What happens if Boris Johnson resigns on Oct 19th rather than carry the message? > > The way I understand it, the current coalition would have a chance to come up with a new PM. A majority of that coalition supports no deal Brexit, I believe. How long do they get to take deciding who the next PM is? Can they just dally from the 19th through the 31st? If Johnson wants to resign, he goes to the Queen and suggests who she might send for instead. Obviously, there is no point in suggesting somebody who is unwilling to discharge the legal duties of the office (which, in this scenario, include asking the EU for an extension). Regardless of who Johnson suggests, it is unlikely that the monarch would invite anyone to become PM without first enquiring as to his or her willingness to do the job. So, whoever accepts appointment on Boris’s resignation, even it it’s just an interim or temporary PM, will be someone who has indicated a willingness to comply with the legal obligation to ask for an extension. > [@ishamael69](#): > > Question 2: Can the EU (who I presume can see all this going on) grant an extension to Brexit to parliament without being asked by the PM? No. They can at most indicate a willingness to do so. Article 50 requires the unanimous consent of all Member States (including the UK) for any extension. So the UK has to agree, and under UK law it’s the government which signifies agreement. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/71 "2019-09-05T06:39:08Z")
If Royal Assent is refused, then the law Students no longer have 1708 as a trivia question. (I believe George V witheld but did not resfuse assent to an Irish Home Rule bill). ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/72 "2019-09-05T15:12:01Z")
New trivia question: When was the last time a PM had a member of their family quit their cabinet? Jo Johnson just resigned as Minister of State for Universities. > **[PM's brother quits as Tory MP and minister](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49594793)** > > Jo Johnson, younger brother of Boris Johnson, says he's "torn between family and national interest". The Evening Standard headline is: BLOW FOR BOJO AS BRO JO GO GOES I wonder if it was meant to end GOES GO and the headline typist messed it up. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/73 "2019-09-05T15:31:30Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > 52% of them wanted Brexit. Do you want to go for dinner with me? Yes or no? If you say yes, you’re in no position to back out if I decide that dinner entails nailing your feet to the floor and force-feeding you rotten pork. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/74 "2019-09-05T16:05:15Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > 52% of them wanted Brexit. As frequently noted, in a non-binding referendum. It is still the responsibility of Parliament to decide if a particular Brexit scenario is in the best interest of the country. > [@Edmund Burke](#): > > Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/75 "2019-09-05T17:01:02Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > As frequently noted, in a non-binding referendum. It is still the responsibility of Parliament to decide if a particular Brexit scenario is in the best interest of the country. And just to be clear: Restarting the Troubles by building a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland would _not_ be in the best interest of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/76 "2019-09-05T22:09:55Z")
Nobody wanted Brexit. What a (slight) majority of Brits voted for was to retain all of the privileges and none of the responsibilities of EU membership. That was never actually a possible option, and it was dishonest to even ask the people if they wanted that. The honest course of action would be to hold a new referendum with the real options: Either none of the responsibilities _nor_ privileges of EU membership, or staying in. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/77 "2019-09-05T22:24:50Z")
> [@Wrenching\_Spanners](#): > > \ > > The Evening Standard headline is: BLOW FOR BOJO AS BRO JO GO GOES > > **I wonder if it was meant to end GOES GO and the headline typist messed it up**. Oh. I thought it was a li’l reference to that old Wham! song, [Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELflyACZXQQ). ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/78 "2019-09-05T22:37:51Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Nobody wanted Brexit. What a (slight) majority of Brits voted for was to retain all of the privileges and none of the responsibilities of EU membership. That was never actually a possible option, and it was dishonest to even ask the people if they wanted that. The honest course of action would be to hold a new referendum with the real options: Either none of the responsibilities _nor_ privileges of EU membership, or staying in. Yeah it sort of reminds me of all the American presidential candidates who have secret plans that are going to be the bestest plans for realsies. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/79 "2019-09-05T23:18:53Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > It looks horrifyingly like a repudiation of representative (parliamentary) democracy. > > Maybe that’s not what it is. But I can tell you that a certain fellow named Donald, inspired by this, will be dreaming of suspending Congress. And when he admits it out loud, once confronted with our outrage, will claim to have been joking. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2019, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350/80 "2019-09-05T23:28:20Z")
As an aside, someone please tell me that Mr. Johnson’s middle initial is ‘S’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-asks-the-queen-to-suspend-parliament/839350.md?page=5)