UK Parliament suspension: What will happen next?
By Nayan Seth, Wang Yushen
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03:01

So how does a suspension work in the British parliamentary system and what is its likely impact on the future of Brexit? 

The British Parliament usually takes an autumn recess between the end of a session and the beginning of the next. 

According to convention, the government of the day recommends suspension of the house and the Queen approves it, and that's exactly what Queen Elizabeth the second has done in the latest case without any delay

The unusual fact, however, is the tenure of suspension of five weeks, which generally is a three-month period. The new session would begin with a speech from the Queen, where the monarch would lay out government's priorities, which again is a formality.

But at the center of the dispute is the timing of the move. The suspension until October 13 would mean that anti-no-deal Brexit MPs would just have a fortnight to block UK's crash-landing. 

So what happens next and what are the options before Johnson's opponents? Here are some of the likely scenarios.

Anti-Brexit protest outside the Houses of the Parliament in London, Britain, August 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

Anti-Brexit protest outside the Houses of the Parliament in London, Britain, August 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

The suspension directly dares the opposing members to call for a no-confidence vote immediately after the parliament reconvenes on September 3. 

The MPs would then have around one week to force the no-confidence and come up with a so-called "unity coalition" as an alternative. 

Even if we assume Boris Johnson loses the vote... experts believe it would be difficult for the opposition and some MPs from the Conservative Party to win the confidence vote and back a caretaker government. 

So if no one wins the vote, the law says the sitting PM will call the new election on the date of his choice, and that too could well be after the October 31 Brexit deadline.

A 'no-entry sign' is seen outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, August 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

A 'no-entry sign' is seen outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, August 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

The second option for the opposition could be to wait till October 14, two-and-a-half weeks before UK leaves the EU. 

So, in 18 days time, the MPs may go for a no-confidence vote. 

Even if they win at a later stage, UK's informal constitution sets out a two-week window for the new government to take shape or if they fail, there would be an announcement of general elections. 

Then again, the Brexit clock would continue to tick, making it extremely difficult for them to avoid a no-deal scenario.

"There won't be enough time for the MPs, and Johnson is trying to not give MPs time as he knows he won't have enough votes," said Professor Thom Brooks from the Durham Law School. 

The MPs could also fall back on their original plan to a pass legislation in parliament to avoid a no-deal Brexit. 

The experts are still divided over the constitutional legality of such a motion, though, which could actually force the government's hand and is generally considered non-binding on the incumbent. Johnson may well choose to ignore it and go ahead with a no-deal plan.

The situation remains extremely fluid and not many political pundits are ready to predict an outcome. A no-deal Brexit with a hard Irish border continues to remain the most likely possibility.