RUGBY’S MP has been urged to ‘stand up against his party’s abuse of power’ by a political rival.
The town’s prospective Labour candidate has called on Mark Pawsey to condemn Boris Johnson’s suspension of Parliament.
Dr Debbie Bannigan said: “I’m hearing from lots of people who are totally baffled as to why Mark Pawsey is staying silent on the subject of prorogation.
“At a time when our elected MPs should be standing up for their constituents, they have been denied the right to do their job of holding the Prime Minister to account.
“Surely Mr Pawsey’s constituents deserve to know where he stands and what he will be doing to protect all their interests. He has previously spoken against no-deal, now he needs to stand up against it too.”
She added that the prorogation of Parliament at a critical moment in UK history was a direct attack on the civil rights of both Leave and Remain voters.
“The British people know this is a cynical misuse of power to avoid Parliament exercising its sovereignty – the sovereignty that we were told we would reclaim through Brexit.
“We cannot stand by and watch our basic civil rights torn away. This is serious stuff.
“That’s why I have called on Mark Pawsey to condemn Boris Johnson’s prorogation in the strongest terms.”
On Wednesday, Mr Johnson set in motion the suspension of Parliament for five weeks ahead of October 31, the day the UK is due to leave the EU – meaning MPs will have less time to debate Brexit. Parliament is to be suspended.
Mr Johnson wants to start a new parliamentary session, with a fresh programme, from October 14. Instead of a normal three-week autumn recess, Parliament will now wrap up some time around September 10.
The Observer contacted Mr Pawsey’s office yesterday (Wednesday August 28) for comment and is awaiting a response.
