A demonstration will take place in Kirkwall, Orkney, on Saturday, 31st of August at 1pm at the top of Castle Street. The protest being organised by the Orkney Resists campaign group is over the suspension of the UK Parliament by the Conservative Government.

On Wednesday the 28th of August Queen Elizabeth agreed to the proposal by Prime Minister Boris Johnston to suspend the UK Parliament from September the 9th to October the 14th.

Boris Johnson said the measure was necessary in order to prepare a Queens Speech setting forth the policies for his Government.

The First Minister of Scotland , Nicola Sturgeon has described it as a ‘dark day for democracy’.

Calling PM Johnson’s actions a ‘coup’, in her statement Nicola Sturgeon said:

“Boris Johnson’s attempt to shut down parliament to force through a No-deal Brexit is an outrageous assault on democracy. He’s acting more like a dictator than a Prime Minister. And he’s too feart to call a general election.

“The SNP will work with other parties in the House of Commons to put a stop to this coup. MPs of all parties must come together and block Boris or this day will go down in history as the day UK democracy died.”

And she continued:

“The most recent polling shows that the majority of people in Scotland now back independence, and want a fresh referendum before 2021.

“The Scottish Parliament goes back into session next week – and as it does so the Bill to put in place the rules for an independence referendum will resume its progress.

“Johnson’s smash and grab on democracy is another demonstration of why the people of Scotland must have the right to decide our own future and a better future is possible as an independent nation.”

Leader of the Labour party and leader of the opposition in the House of Commons, Jeremy Corbyn described Boris Johnson as reckless and called for a General Election.

Photo: Rwendland

Jeremy Corbyn said:

“I am appalled at the recklessness of Johnson’s government, which talks about sovereignty and yet is seeking to suspend parliament to avoid scrutiny of its plans for a reckless No Deal Brexit. This is an outrage and a threat to our democracy.

“That is why Labour has been working across Parliament to hold this reckless government to account, and prevent a disastrous No Deal which parliament has already ruled out.

“If Johnson has confidence in his plans he should put them to the people in a general election or public vote.”

Donald Trump, President of the USA (in case you needed reminding) tweeted:

Would be very hard for Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain’s Labour Party, to seek a no-confidence vote against New Prime Minister Boris Johnson, especially in light of the fact that Boris is exactly what the U.K. has been looking for, & will prove to be “a great one!” Love U.K.

Jeremy Corbyn replied that Johnson was a compliant Prime Minister ” who will hand Britain’s public services and protections over to US corporations in a free trade deal.”

The Scottish Greens condemned Boris Johnson for telling lies during the EU Referendum 3 years ago – (Yes this is how long we have been having this discussion about Leaving the EU)

 Co-Leader Patrick Harvie MSP said:

“Boris Johnson led a Leave campaign which cheated and broke the law to win. It’s no surprise that now he’s the Prime Minister he is continuing his assault against democracy.

“If we need to “take back control” from anyone, we need to take it back from him. Those who defend the UK’s unwritten constitution often say the Queen must be “kept out of politics”.

“Any Head of State worthy of the title would say no.

“The people of Scotland are used to the UK Government treating them with contempt, but this move by Johnson takes this contempt to a whole new level and reinforces the need for the people to have a say over the future direction of our country.”

Unable to find the leader of the Tories in Scotland, Ruth Davidson MSP, Alistair Jack MP the Secretary of State for Scotland in the UK was found and he stated that there would be plenty of time to debate Brexit in the House of Commons. [Who is Alister Jack?]

Ruth Davidson was said to be considering her position as this was being written.

Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, who is on holiday, was not informed of the move by the Prime Minister and is said to be ‘fuming’.

Calling it a ‘constitutional outrage’ Speaker Bercow said:

“Shutting down Parliament would be an offence against the democratic process and the rights of Parliamentarians as the people’s elected representatives.”

Today, 29th of August, Joanne Cherry, QC MP will be asking the Scottish Courts for a hearing “on the legality of this purported suspension of Parliament & we’re confident we’ll be heard this week”.

Reporter: Fiona Grahame