RUGBY’S MP has not commented on yesterday’s ruling by the Supreme Court that the prorogation of Parliament – which he supported – was unlawful.
While the Prime Minister and cabinet members have openly disagreed with the ruling, Mark Pawsey declined to comment on it – instead focusing on securing a deal with the EU, and accusing Labour of ‘running away’ from a General Election.
In late August, after Boris Johnson advised The Queen to suspend Parliament, Mr Pawsey said it was “not unreasonable, and certainly not unconstitutional”, adding it was wrong for people to claim it was “somehow an affront to democracy”.
In the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday (Tuesday September 24), Lady Hale declared the move unlawful, saying: “The effect upon the fundamentals of our democracy was extreme.”
She added the ruling was “not about when and on what terms” the UK left the EU, but about the decision to suspend Parliament.
Asked for his comments on the ruling and his previous statement, Mr Pawsey said: “Time after time people have told me that they want the government to implement the result of the 2016 referendum.
“Following the ruling of the Supreme Court, Parliament will now return and I will continue to support the Prime Minister in his efforts to secure an exit deal with our European partners.
“However, if Parliament remains deadlocked as it has been for the past three years, we will need a General Election and Labour should not continue to run away from the verdict of the people on their recent actions.”
Labour has said it will support a General Election as soon as legislation is passed to block a no-deal Brexit.
The party’s Rugby candidate Debbie Bannigan said: “When I’m talking with Rugby people, they have been clear that they expect our MP, and all MPs, to be in Westminster doing their job.
“Sadly, our MP chose to disagree and supported this attempt to deny democracy.
“He has been proved wrong, so I call on Mark Pawsey to apologise to his constituents for backing this unlawful action.”
Rugby Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition spokesperson Pete McLaren said: “We would like to ask Mark Pawsey what he now thinks about the suspension of democracy. We call on him to admit he was wrong.
“We would hope he would agree with us and not sit on the fence on this one. It is far too important for that.”
The Observer has asked Mr Pawsey to clarify his position on the Supreme Court ruling.
