The decision by Boris Johnson to prorogue Parliament for nearly five weeks has sent shockwaves across the country.

Observers have said the move by the Prime Minister makes it more likely that the country will divorce from Europe on October 31 without a deal, causing more serious economic issues for the country than an agreed exit with the EU.

Under the extraordinary gambit, the PM will be able to suspend Parliament from September 9. MPs would not return to Westminster until Monday, October 14 for a new Queen’s Speech.

It leaves opponents with less time to block a ‘no-deal’ Brexit.

MPs do not sit on most Fridays and are only likely to lose between four and six sitting days in Parliament as a result. MPs would have been due to hold conference recess anyway, from 12 September until 7 October.

The decision to suspend sparked demonstrations outside Parliament on Wednesday night and a fierce split within the Conservative Party with some members branding it “unconstitutional”.

Carlisle MP John Stevenson backed his PM, saying it would help focus minds - both in Europe and in the Commons - and potentially break the UK’s Brexit deadlock.

But Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart spoke against suspension and suggested it would not stop MPs blocking a no-deal Brexit.

John Stanyer supported the PM and said the move was far from anti-democratic.

Mr Stanyer, who lives near Wigton, was the county co-ordinator for the Brexit Party - and is likely to be a candidate for the party in any upcoming election.

“I am very pleased that he is taking decisive action and is actually doing something that the people of this country instructed in a vote three years ago,” he said.

“Parliament has had four years to debate this issue - they debated it before the referendum and have debated it intensively for three years since.

“There is still plenty of time to debate Brexit. They have four or five days when they return to Parliament, then the whole of the party conference season and then more time when they come back.

“The only people who are complaining are die-hard remainers.”

Many say the prorogation is a bid to force a no-deal Brexit.

Mr Stanyer said there is nothing to fear from leaving the EU without a deal: “I welcome it. We will benefit tremendously from World Trade Organisation rules.

“I will support the Prime Minister as long as he is implementing the wishes of the people.”

Alistair Mackintosh, NFU Cumbrian council delegate and west Cumbrian beef and sheep farmer, said: “I have not changed my stance as a remainer, but that option has now gone. I still hope Boris will get a deal with our biggest customers and we are able to trade with them.

“My frustration is that Government has not covered itself in glory by choosing to follow the path of suspending Parliament.

“They have not listened to businesses or listened to what the people want. They have really let the country down.

“I would like to think that he is doing this to try to get a deal for UK Plc. But having said that we are very disappointed to see him adopt this tactic which prevents fair parliamentary debate, scrutiny and process and will make it easier for a no-deal to occur without Parliament being able to legislate to protect business.

“As far as farming is concerned we cannot make any deals until we know what the deals are. But we need the markets to be functioning. If not a no-deal will be exceptionally damaging to the livestock industry whose livelihoods and businesses are at risk. All the NFU can do is keep working hard behind the scenes.”

David Steele, a retired accountant from Carlisle, said: “I think it’s outrageous. The idea that any British Prime Minister could be shutting down Parliament - it’s barely credible. It’s obviously to prevent any discussion of Brexit. During the referendum campaign we heard a lot about ‘taking back control’. That implies that the British Parliament will be making all the decisions, not that it will be shut down.

“I voted remain. I think Brexit is the biggest own goal this country has scored for a long time. There’s the will and the unity to stop Boris Johnson shutting down Parliament. Whether there’s the time, I’m not sure.

“I’d almost bet my life there’ll be an election before the end of the year. If we have an election after October 31 Boris Johnson will point to this glorious future of milk and honey. He’s on a permanent ego trip. He’s burnishing the Boris brand.”

Ruth Alcroft, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Carlisle, added: “There are some people that will support it, as they want to see action on Brexit.

“I don’t think it is a brave move as John Stevenson has described it.

“The constitution by which our parliament works depends on parliament making sure that laws and decisions are scrutinised.

“They do that by scrutinising the laws.

“If Boris Johnson is confident in his policies he should be putting them to the people and not through the back door.”

Peter Thornton, Liberal Democrat county councillor and candidate for Carlisle at the next general election, added: “It is clearly heading towards a no-deal Brexit. Cumbria will suffer if we have a no-deal Brexit.

“It will suffer from any form of Brexit, but especially no-deal.”

Conservative John Mallinson, Carlisle City Council leader, said: “I voted remain, however I lost. I believe in democracy, so I think we should now leave.

“Parliament have had three years to resolve this but they’ve proven themselves absolutely incapable of doing so.

“I think it’s a bit rich for a load of parliamentarians to now be bleating about denials of democracy.

“Parliament has tried as hard as it can to obstruct the will of the people.

“I do not particularly welcome a no-deal Brexit but it’s beginning to appear that there’s nothing else left.

“I think Parliament, since 2016, has been out of kilter with the wishes of the people.

“A message was sent in the summer of 2016. When we have a General Election, the result is accepted. We might not like it, but we accept it. That’s how democracy works.

“I think the electorate have a reasonable expectation that their wishes will be adhered to.

“I think a no-deal Brexit will be bumpy initially. I still pray for a compromise but it’s becoming less and less likely.”