In the Guardian today (yesterday :p) there was an article where Rory Stewart outlines his plans for an alternative parliament, should Boris try to prorogue parliament to push through a "no deal" Brexit.
(Looking for your perfect partner)
When I thought about this prospect it filled me with some concern. In my last post I was very positive about the state of British politics. In this one I'm expressing a little more pessimism.
In short, I think it could be a very bad idea if Boris attempts to prorogue parliament. Not so much because it's a bad idea in of itself (I've mentioned the pros and cons on here before), but because I think Rory and his friends will cause absolute chaos.
Just looking at the make-up of the parliament as it currently stands. The obstructive SNPs, the vehemently pro-remain Lib Dems, Caroline Lucas (!). A Labour Party that for the most part never misses an opportunity to protest - whether it be against the government or against Corbyn himself. It's like a parliament filled with student protesters.
If they get the chance to protest by forming an "alternative parliament" it'll be like Christmas come early for them. They'll all be in their element. Feeling very special and rebellious, "defending democracy" from the big bad Tories. The fact that a renegade Tory, and a highly charming renegade at that, will be leading this rabble of protesters will only give them the green light even more. Further strengthening their belief that they're causing mayhem in a just cause.
Similar to how leaver Tories, by bad-mouthing the "May deal" so publicly and virulently, gave Labour MPs the perfect excuse to not vote for it themselves when the third reading came round, by which time many leavers had realised it was something of a lesser evil.
Added to this. If Boris prorogues parliament (this is all assuming he wins of course) it will hand the moral high ground over to the remain side. The cry will then come that the government are "suspending democracy". Whether this is technically the case or not will be moot. It will look like a suspension of democracy.
The narrative will then take care of itself. The nasty "fascist" leavers are a threat to democracy. Again, the truth is quite the opposite, but that hasn't stopped the media and their fellow remainers from throwing labels such as fascist so readily at those leading the leave side.
Of course, the rabble of protester MPs, sat in their studenty counter-parliament, will only be the start of it. They'll be joined by the multitude of well-heeled and well-funded remain protesters. Bused in from across the country as they were for the last round of protests.
The coup de grâce will then come when the fake leavers, led by the likes of Tommy Robinson, crash into the capital to amplify the impressions of "fascism". Starting fights and screaming profanities. London will see chaos. If we do leave, we'll leave amidst that chaos.
Alternately the government or PM may see the absolute chaos and simply bottle any attempts to leave. Leading to further perceptions of ineptitude and mishandling.
So .. surely it would be better to avoid all this. The sensible option would be to ditch any idea of proroguing parliament. Accept that this lot we currently have may block any attempts to leave. Accept the delay. Then go to the public in a general election and give the people a chance to get rid of this remain parliament once and for all.
The danger is however that the bravado of stating we'll definitely be leaving on Halloween may make it difficult to step back from the brink. It'll look like giving in. Meaning the two sides will go head to head with neither willing to back down.
Think about it, Halloween, the perfect time for chaos. Cold dark spooky nights. Just five days before Guy Fawkes. Almost movie-like.
(Boris looks out across a London in chaos?)
This is all just speculation of course :) ..but it's worth bearing in mind. The fact that Stewart himself is already considering drafting in an alternative speaker in the form of Betty Boothroyd suggests that he at least is already thinking about the possibilities.
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