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TALKING POLITICS

538 Cross Over Special : Is Britain In The Middle Of A Constitutional Crisis?

Aug 30, 2019
Galen Druk, host of the 538 Politics podcast, explores the pressing constitutional crisis sparked by Boris Johnson's request to suspend Parliament during Brexit negotiations. He delves into the tension between executive power and legislative authority, examining potential no-confidence votes and the implications for Scottish independence. The discussion highlights the erosion of democratic norms amidst accusations of norm-breaking and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit's outcome, all set against the backdrop of shifting political alliances.
45:52

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament significantly reduces legislative debate time on Brexit, sparking accusations of a constitutional crisis.
  • The government's strategy, influenced by Dominic Cummings, aims to consolidate support for an election while framing opposition efforts as undemocratic.

Deep dives

Boris Johnson's Suspension of Parliament

Boris Johnson's request for the Queen to prorogue Parliament for a month has significant implications for the Brexit process. This move effectively limits the time Members of Parliament (MPs) have to debate and potentially prevent a no-deal Brexit, with the deadline approaching on October 31. Critics, including the Speaker of the House of Commons, have labeled this decision as a constitutional outrage, fearing it undermines parliamentary democracy. The suspension means that when Parliament resumes, it will enter a new session, causing all prior legislative efforts to start anew, thus complicating opposition efforts to halt the government's strategy.

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