Deadlocked Commons repeatedly clocks off early despite warnings not to waste Brexit extension
Houses of Parliament Photo: PA / Tim Ireland - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
MPs have failed to use more than 23 hours in the House of Commons despite the EU warning them not to 'waste this time' gained in the Brexit extension.
The main chamber rose early 14 times out of 18 between the Easter and May recesses.
This is despite warnings from EU council president Donald Tusk telling MPs "please do not waste this time" when he granted the UK an extension to Brexit until the end of October.
The Brexit deadlock has left MPs caught up in backbench motions or general Brexit debates, as well as several opposition day debates granted to Labour.
But there is a lack of business put forward by the government and there has been almost no legislation to scrutinise.
You may also want to watch:
SNP Commons leader Pete Wishart told the Press Association: "We have been told by the EU not to waste the time granted to find a Brexit solution but yet the house is doing everything possible to do just that.
"The house now regularly rises early because of lack of business.
Most Read
- 1 Tory minister admits UK rejected EU's music visa offer in order to 'take back control' of borders
- 2 Priti Patel fails to appear in Commons to answer questions on missing police records
- 3 Iain Duncan Smith defends calling Donald Trump 'a decent man'
- 4 Kwasi Kwarteng confirms post-Brexit review of workers' rights
- 5 The bigot we should have called out on day one
- 6 Leave EU website suspended after EU registry blocks move to Ireland
- 7 Bob Geldof vindicated over pro-EU fishing stunt, suggests broadcaster
- 8 Brandon Lewis unable to explain to Piers Morgan reason for UK having 'worst COVID death in the world'
- 9 Brexiteer MP criticised after suggesting No 10 should break Northern Ireland Protocol
- 10 Boris Johnson blames seafood companies for post-Brexit sales slump
"Calling this a zombie parliament would be to actually disrespect the brain-eating living dead.
"We are now in business purgatory and this can not go on. We have to get down to work."
There have only been two formal votes since April 10, one of which was on a Labour opposition motion and another a deferred vote on secondary legislation.
One day saw the Commons sit for just three and a half hours - rising four hours and 26 minutes ahead of schedule.
On five other days, proceedings have been cut short by more than two hours and three times by more than an hour.
On two days, however, business overran by around 20 minutes.
The chamber is now on an 11-day recess, not returning until Tuesday June 4.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
