Campaign group Another Europe is Possible is organising a nationwide wave of protests this Saturday, 31 August including in Cambridge, outside the Guildhall, at 12 noon.

Called “Defend Democracy: Resist the Parliament Shut Down” angry campaigners will demand that Boris Johnson rethinks his plans to shut down parliament.

Mr Johnson’s surprise move to prorogue Parliament means the time given to MPs to scrutinise the government’s plans or to pass any laws to stop a no-deal Brexit on 31 October have been cut. The moved sparked cross-party condemnation including from former Prime Minister John Major. The politically neutral speaker of the House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has called the move a “constitutional outrage”.

Ana Oppenheim, from Another Europe is Possible said:

“Boris Johnson thinks he can get away with shutting down democracy and implementing a policy, No Deal Brexit, which will wreck communities and undermine our rights – all in the name of making Britain a free market tax haven tied to Trump’s America. We can’t rely on parliament or the courts to stop him on their own – every single one of us needs to stand up and be counted.”

Daniel Zeichner MP said:

“This prorogation is significantly longer than we would normally have for the purpose of starting a new parliamentary session and so it is clear it is a political move to stifle debate. Let’s not forget the new Prime Minister has only faced one single day of parliamentary scrutiny so far.

 “He knows there is no majority in parliament for his reckless policies, these protests, and many more up and down the country, show that we are united and determined to stop a no-deal Brexit and stop Mr Johnson’s power grab.

 “I will continue to put all my efforts into preventing no-deal and campaigning to remain.  The best deal with Europe is the one we have now: full membership of the European Union.”