Parliament suspended. Again. But lawfully.
A potentially very dull week
27 days until the big 31st October. We've got two days of Parliament next week and then Parliament is suspended. Only for 5 days (or two sitting days) this time, but still suspended. Opposition MPs are upset that the suspension starts on Wednesday, so there will be no PMQs. The government says that Johnson has made many statements to the House and has been very available for scrutiny.
The days we've got are, on paper, slightly dull. Lots of not very exciting motions. There won't be any votes. This is partly because Johnson has no majority and has lost consistently in the first 11 sitting days of his premiership.
Of course, one of the things that happens when Parliament is prorogued for a Queen's Speech is that all bills that have not been finalised go in the bin. The Domestic Abuse Bill, which received cross-party support on Wednesday will, amongst many others, be binned.
Finally, there is every chance that the Monday and Tuesday that the Commons is sitting will be more exciting than planned. MPs can ask urgent questions and drag ministers to the Commons to explain what's going on and Ministers can choose to come and make statements. These are often the most interesting part of the week and are decided on the day, so can't be predicted.
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Monday - By the looks of things, the Commons will be very quiet today.
Tuesday - More fairly innocuous motons today. Expect them to pass without votes.
There is also a debate on baby loss awareness. This isn't a topic many tend to think about very much but can be so utterly devastating for those who go through it. I can speak first hand of the love and care that is poured into a baby before it's birth and after. An emotional response that I previously never thought possible.
The loss of that most precious, most special, most wonderful baby - before or after birth - must be... I don't have the words for how it must be. If a House of Commons debate can help anyone suffering, encourage anyone to reach out to someone suffering after the loss, or even make the law more supportive at some point in the future, it can only be a good thing.
Wednesday - Parliament is prorogued (suspended) until a Queen's Speech next week
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National Poetry Day
It was National Poetry Day yesterday. I thought I'd share this wonderful poem from Kate Tempest. It's about a break-up and I just love it The combination of the mundane detail of life with a yearning heart, the inability to think about anything else. Wonderful.
Keeping Busy
I wake up in hotel rooms and fall over on my way to
The shower and put my clothes on inside out
I see the shape of you in every bare branch
In every cereal bowl and water-jug
The driftwood, the vandalized statue, the train station roof
The whole world is a sick joke about how beautiful you are
Kate Tempest
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