Parliament prorogued: When will Parliament reconvene? When is the Queen’s speech?

PARLIAMENT was prorogued again on Tuesday as the Government prepares for a Queen’s speech. But when will MPs reconvene and how is this different to last time?

The last time Prime Minister tied to prorogue Parliament, it changed the very shape of the British constitution. A legal challenge on the five-week suspension made it all the way to the Supreme Court, where it was deemed unlawful and MPs immediately reconvened.

In the Supreme Court ruling, prorogation was deemed an unlawful obstruction to the workings of Parliament in the run-up to the crucial  deadline on October 31.

The highest court in the UK found the move “has the effect, of frustrating or preventing, without reasonable justification, the power of Parliament to carry out its constitutional functions as a legislature and as the body responsible for the supervision of the executive.”

The biggest issue with the last attempted prorogation was the length of it: the PM wanted Parliament suspended for five weeks, rather than five days, insisting it had nothing at all to do with Brexit.

So how long will it go on this time, and is the PM within the rule of law?

READ MORE: What happens if EU rejects Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan?

Parliament prorogued

Parliament prorogued: Parliament reconvenes with a Queen’s speech (Image: Getty)

Parliament prorogued

Parliament prorogued: Boris Johnson meeting European Parliament president David Sassoli on Tuesday (Image: Getty)

When is the Queen’s speech?

Parliament reconvenes with a ’s speech - the next one is set for Monday, October 14.

This is within the parameters of a normal, five-day prorogation, so won’t be deemed unlawful.

This was the date originally set when Mr Johnson tried to suspend Parliament on September 10, so won’t be any change for the schedule of the Queen herself.

Parliament prorogued

Parliament prorogued: The speech delivered by the Queen herself from the throne of the House of Lords (Image: Getty)

What is the Queen’s speech?

The Queen’s speech is the Government’s opportunity to present its upcoming agenda for the parliamentary year.

The Queen’s speech is written by Government ministers but delivered by the Queen herself from the throne of the House of Lords.

The speech is part of the State Opening of Parliament ceremony, which marks the start of the parliamentary year.

The ceremony begins with a procession, where the Queen travels from Buckingham Palace to Westminster by carriage.

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MPs are summoned by a House of Lords official, known as Black Rod.

Before entering the Commons, Black Rod has the doors shut in their face, symbolising the chamber’s independence from the monarchy.

During the speech, the Queen sets out the laws the Government wants Parliament to approve.

By convention, it is announced by the Queen in the presence of MPs, peers and other dignitaries in the House of Lords.

Parliament prorogued

Parliament prorogued: A legal challenge on the five-week suspension made it all the way to the Supreme Court, where it was deemed unlawful (Image: PA)

A few hours after the speech, MPs reassemble in the House of Commons to begin debating its contents.

After introductory speeches by two MPs, the prime minister will “sell” the speech to the Commons, setting out their vision for the country.

The leader of the opposition then gets their chance to respond, before other MPs are allowed to contribute.

The debate on what is known as the “Humble Address” normally lasts about five days.

At the end of the debate there is a vote, which is normally seen as symbolic, as it is extremely rare for a government to lose it.

However, in these unusual times, it would not be out of the question for opposition MPs to reject the Government’s plans.

By losing a Queen’s Speech vote, MPs are effectively saying that they reject the Government’s plan to bring in new laws.

Mr Johnson would be under immense pressure to resign if this happened, but he wouldn’t be forced to do so.