Remainers sabotage Tory conference after Supreme Court ruling

Boris Johnson is facing the prospect of his big Tory conference set piece being derailed after the Supreme Court overturned his suspension of Parliament.

The Conservatives’ annual gathering is due to kick off in Manchester on Sunday, and the PM had hoped to use it as a platform for a Brexit-focused election campaign. 

However, the return of the Commons has thrown a major spanner into the works, with the prospect of MPs and ministers needing to be on hand to fight battles at Westminster.

Jeremy Corbyn turned the screw this morning, confirming that Labour will not let the government send the House back into recess to clear the way for the conference – as usually happens. Any vote would happen tomorrow at the earliest. Both Labour and the Lib Dems have already held their events.

It means Mr Johnson could be forced to reschedule his keynote speech – which typically takes place at lunchtime on the Wednesday, because he will be required in the Commons for PMQs. 

The Tories have made clear they will press on with the conference despite the turmoil. The event is a major money-spinner for the party and cancelling would leave a big dent in its finances just months before an expected election.

Boris Johnson (pictured in New York last night) faces having to reschedule his Tory conference speech as it will clash with PMQs next Wednesday. Jeremy Corbyn (right) confirmed Labour will not support a short recess so the Conservatives can hold their annual gathering   

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Mr Corbyn denied that he was running scared of an election because of his dire popularity ratings – which are the lowest ever for an opposition leader at minus 60.

But he said he would not let Mr Johnson trigger one until after the Brexit deadline of October 31 had been pushed back. 

A law passed by Remainer rebels obliges Mr Johnson to beg the EU for an extension by October 19 if an agreement has not been reached by then.   

‘Until it is very clear that the application will be made, per the legislation, to the EU to extend our membership to at least January, then we will continue pushing for that and that is our priority,’ Mr Corbyn said. 

He added: ‘When that has been achieved we will then be ready with a motion of no confidence.’ 

The veteran left-winger said Mr Johnson had ‘abused the power he has in the royal prerogative and attempted to close down Parliament’. 

‘I think he should apologise to (the Queen) for the advice he gave her but, more importantly, apologise to the British people for what he’s done in trying to shut down our democracy at a very crucial time when people are very, very worried about what will happen on October 31,’ he added. 

In a vindictive step, Mr Corbyn confirmed Labour will not grant the Conservatives a Commons recess so the party can hold its conference – due to get under way in Manchester on Sunday.   

‘I won’t support anything that shuts down parliament until it is absolutely clear that the government will abide by the law and apply for an extension,’ Mr Corbyn said.

Lady Hale delivers the verdict of the Supreme Court yesterday as they ruled that Boris broke the law when he shut down Parliament. Jacob Rees-Mogg has accused judges of mounting a ‘constitutional coup’