It's time to take stock of our democratic values, social justice

Boris Johnson just put to rest our traditional notions of coups and assaults on democracy. No longer are we subjected to khaki clad figures taking over streets and airwaves and announcing that new figures have taken power. Democracy has been always under threat but Johnson’s assault and attempted takeover has taken place in the holy of holies, Parliament itself. The man who promised to ‘take back your country’ this week attempted to take over Britain by shutting down parliamentary democracy.

Perhaps this should not come as a surprise as the man was selected Prime Minister of Britain by 0.14 per cent of the population all of whom were members of his Conservative Party. By not requiring a popular or parliamentary mandate, Mr Johnson presumed that he did not need approval to prorogue Parliament and avoid debate on his plan to exit the European Community without a deal by October 31st.