"The UK’s Supreme Court has this week heard evidence on two cases being fought over the prorogation of parliament. High Court judges in London earlier ruled that one case was not for them to try as it was a political matter; on the other, Scottish judges decided that prime minister Boris Johnson’s suspension of parliament was unlawful because he, in effect, misled the monarch. Now the matter is with the country’s highest court.
"Philip Stephens in his column says that whatever definitive ruling the 11 sitting judges give — that the prorogation is non-justiciable or that it is unlawful — the damage has already been done. There is no-one in Westminster’s corridors of power who believes Mr Johnson is telling the truth. As two former prime ministers add to the accusations of his lying and self-interest, Philip finds British Conservatism in a “truly sorry” condition, rife with back-stabbing and mendacity.
"Does this matter? Some may shrug, says Philip: “Put lying to the Queen to one side and fear and loathing among politicians in the same party is hardly new. As for Mr Johnson’s lies, well, no one trusts politicians.” But add contempt for the traditions, institutions and laws of parliament and the damage from this goes beyond trust in the prime minister. It is, he says, being inflicted on the nation’s very democracy."
"Philip Stephens in his column says that whatever definitive ruling the 11 sitting judges give — that the prorogation is non-justiciable or that it is unlawful — the damage has already been done. There is no-one in Westminster’s corridors of power who believes Mr Johnson is telling the truth. As two former prime ministers add to the accusations of his lying and self-interest, Philip finds British Conservatism in a “truly sorry” condition, rife with back-stabbing and mendacity.
"Does this matter? Some may shrug, says Philip: “Put lying to the Queen to one side and fear and loathing among politicians in the same party is hardly new. As for Mr Johnson’s lies, well, no one trusts politicians.” But add contempt for the traditions, institutions and laws of parliament and the damage from this goes beyond trust in the prime minister. It is, he says, being inflicted on the nation’s very democracy."