Prorogation

Explanation

Prorogation ends a parliamentary session — suspending proceedings, killing bills that haven't passed, and pausing committee work — without triggering an election. Parliament remains in existence and is recalled for the next session. It is a normal part of the parliamentary calendar in Westminster systems. However, prorogation became highly controversial in the UK in 2019 when Boris Johnson's government prorogued parliament for five weeks during the Brexit crisis. The Supreme Court ruled this prorogation unlawful, as it had the effect of frustrating parliament's constitutional role. The case illustrated the constitutional tension between executive prerogative and parliamentary sovereignty.