What Ministers Said About Suspending Parliament In The Past

Trust in politicians is at an all-time low … and sometimes it’s not difficult to understand why. 

This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the decision to suspend parliament, despite having repeatedly said he was “not attracted” to such “arcane” procedures. 

The move has sparked protests and widespread fear that the country is hurtling towards a no-deal Brexit and that MPs will be left with no time to hold Johnson to account before October 31. 

Cabinet ministers now tasked with defending Johnson are avoiding journalists and TV cameras as they too are being reminded of how vehemently they opposed shutting down parliament in the past. 

Here’s what they said back then, and what they say now (if anything). 

Matt Hancock

The health secretary kept his job in the cabinet after having gone up against Johnson in the race for the Conservative leadership. 

During the contest Hancock made clear his opposition to suspending parliament, saying: “And then there is this idea from some people, you might have heard them, there is this idea from some people, that to deliver Brexit, we should suspend our parliamentary democracy. 

That we should prorogue parliament. But that goes against everything that those men who waded onto those beaches fought and died for. And I will not have it.”