Olivia Blake, Labour’s candidate for Sheffield Hallam, has called on Sheffield residents to join them at a rally on Saturday to oppose Boris Johnson’s attempts to shut down Parliament and force through a no-deal Brexit.

The protest has been called jointly with Sheffield Labour MPs Paul Blomfield and Louise Haigh.

Boris Johnson’s plans to prorogue Parliament on 12 September ahead of a Queen’s speech on 14 October, which would prevent MPs from passing legislation to stop a no-deal Brexit or passing a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

Louise Haigh and Paul Blomfield have also signed the cross-party Church House declaration, pledging to work cross-party and cross-nation to oppose the prorogation of Parliament to drive through a no-deal Brexit. The declaration has been signed by over 200 MPs and came about as a result of Jeremy Corbyn’s work to bring opposition parties together to do everything possible to prevent a no-deal Brexit.

The three local Labour politicians are expecting to be joined by other parties and organisations at the rally. They invite everyone who opposes a no-deal Brexit to join them for the demonstration at Sheffield Town Hall from 11am on Saturday 31 August.

Olivia Blake, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Hallam, said: “It’s outrageous that Boris Johnson is attempting to shut down Parliament to push through a disastrous no-deal Brexit.

“Proroguing Parliament is undemocratic and an abuse of the Prime Minister’s power. MPs must be allowed to have a say on the future of our country.”

Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, said: “Suspending Parliament to prevent MPs influencing the biggest decision in our post-war history is treating our democracy with contempt and makes a mockery of the Brexiteers’ claim to champion parliamentary sovereignty.

“I’ll continue to work with other MPs to prevent Boris Johnson trashing our democracy and crashing out of the EU without a deal, which would be disastrous for the livelihoods and security of our people.”

Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley, said: “Shutting down Parliament to stop MPs having a say on Brexit would seriously undermine our democracy, create a constitutional crisis, and set a very dangerous precedent.

“We need to let Boris Johnson know that Sheffield opposes his undemocratic manoeuvring.”