2019 September

The Government prorogued Parliament on Monday 9 September 2019. Prorogation marks the end of a parliamentary session. It is the formal name given to the period between the end of a session of Parliament and the State Opening of Parliament that begins the next session.

The Government was defeated on Wednesday 4 September 2019 on a motion under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (No.2) calling for an early General Election. I abstained on the vote and the motion was defeated by a majority of 242 (Ayes: 298, Noes: 56). This was well short of the 434 votes required to pass such a motion.

The Parliamentary buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Bill passed the House of Lords on Thursday 5 September 2019 and the Lords amendments were considered in the House of Commons on Monday 9 September 2019. The amendments were agreed to and the Bill received royal assent on the same day.

On Monday 9 September 2019, the Speaker granted two emergency debates (SO24s). Emergency debates are called at short notice in the House of Commons on matters that should have urgent consideration.