UK Parliament to close down for weeks simply hours after Keir Starmer will get grilled
Parliament will prorogue today after both Houses agreed remaining draft legislation, with Prime Minister’s Questions still set to go ahead before the end of the parliamentary session.
He’ll get a few weeks of peace . . . maybe(Image: TEMILADE ADELAJA, POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Parliament will be prorogued (shut down) today, the Lords chief whip has confirmed, following agreement on remaining draft legislation by both Houses. The Government had allegedly hoped to prorogue ahead of Wednesday to dodge another Prime Minister’s Questions during this parliamentary session.
Nevertheless, with prorogation scheduled for 1.15pm, the weekly exchange between Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch will proceed as planned.
Prorogation signals the conclusion of a parliamentary session and imposes a cut-off point for the Government’s legislative programme, with any Bills requiring final approval beforehand to enter the statute book.
The Hillsborough law and the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill are amongst the outstanding legislation which will continue advancing in the subsequent session, following the Commons’ approval of carry-over motions this week.
Addressing the upper chamber on Tuesday, Lord Kennedy of Southwark said: “We have now concluded our parliamentary business for the day and for this parliamentary session.
“I will shortly adjourn the House and we will return tomorrow at 1.15pm for the prorogation ceremony only.”
MPs and peers had been locked in dispute over the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and the Pension Schemes Bill. Yet these were resolved on Tuesday, meaning all draft legislation has been addressed.
Throughout the prorogation ceremony, the Clerk of the Crown will read out the title of each Act which is to be enacted. As each Act is announced, the Clerk of the Parliament turns to face MPs, proclaiming “Le Roy le veult” – Norman French for “The King wishes it”, indicating royal assent for each Bill.
Subsequently, Commons Leader Sir Alan Campbell will deliver a speech from the King reflecting on the past year.
MPs and peers will reconvene for the official state opening of Parliament on 13 May, when the King’s Speech will be delivered.
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