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Richard Burgon warns of ‘economic shock therapy’

TENS of thousands of demonstrators across the country have demanded Boris Johnson does not suspend Parliament, as Labour heavyweight Richard Burgon warns that the Prime Minister wants to impose “economic shock therapy” on the British people.

Writing exclusively in the Morning Star tomorrow, the shadow justice secretary condemns what he called a “smash-and-grab raid on our democracy,” after the Queen approved Mr Johnson’s request to prorogue Parliament.

The PM claims that the move is to ensure the government can organise Britain’s departure from the European Union in an orderly way.

But Mr Burgon warned that Mr Johnson has taken the step in order to “cut a deal with Trump that will flog off our NHS, further drive down wages and deregulate our economy.”

He said: “We can’t let Johnson use anti-democratic manoeuvres to impose an even more neoliberal economic model on the backs of the majority in order to further enrich the elites.

“That’s what US economic shock therapy has done around the globe — and we can’t allow it here under the cover of a no-deal Brexit.”

His comments relate to ongoing transatlantic trade negotiations, amid fears that US President Donald Trump is eyeing up sections of the NHS to be taken over by US healthcare privateers.

Mr Burgon said that our hard-gained rights had been “wrested from the ruling elite by mass movements,” and urged the public to attend the People’s Assembly rally outside Parliament tomorrow night.

Mr Burgon’s intervention came as tens of thousands of people took part in hastily organised protests in 80 towns and cities across Britain under a Stop The Coup banner.

In London, an estimated 30,000 people marched on Parliament on Saturday to demand the lifting of the suspension.

Protesters poured into Whitehall, chanting: “Shame on you” in the direction of 10 Downing Street, halting traffic in Trafalgar Square for about two hours.

Police made three arrests after protesters began blocking roads around Westminster, including Green Party councillor and London Assembly member Caroline Russell.

Hundreds of demonstrators led by journalist Owen Jones then marched to Charing Cross police station to show their solidarity with the arrestees.

A Green spokeswoman confirmed to the Morning Star that Ms Russell had been released under investigation at 1.30am on Sunday morning. The Metropolitan Police declined to comment on the arrests.

Meanwhile the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford warned that the week ahead will be “absolutely crucial” to stop a no-deal Brexit.

Speaking before the Commons returns from summer recess, the MP called on politicians from all sides of the house to “work together to oppose Boris Johnson’s damaging no-deal plans,” putting party differences aside.

Demonstrations have been planned across the country tomorrow by the People’s Assembly to call for a general election. Speakers at the London rally will include socialist Labour MP Laura Pidcock, left-wing commentator Aaron Bastani and RMT activist Eddie Dempsey.

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