Since the last update 12 days ago:
- We have had the proposal to give barista visas. If we are giving out visas for this, what aren't we going to give visas for. Its just the announcement of a lot of red tape.
- EU Banking and the Medicines agency are moving so they can serve the EU. In the EU. As serving them outside the EU is just weird. This is apparently a punishment for leaving the EU.
- The number of students applying to become nurses has plummeted due to the removal of bursaries. This is as EU nurses leave.
- The Brexit department published a couple of graphs promoting staying in the EU.
- Theresa May said we were unified behind the idea of Brexit in her Easter message
- The environment is being sacrificed for trade.
- Turkey apparently has voted to become a dictatorship. This was a vote that Erdogan won by a whisper. His executive will not need scrutiny from parliament. Rather the UK referendum which at 0.6% more than the Turkish one is decisive. Donald Trump has congratulated him for it.
- Trump has been dick swinging about nukes over North Korea. China are telling the children to behave.
And now we have a General Election.
Well if she can get 434 votes in the HoC tomorrow. That's ANOTHER broken promise. I'm sure its nothing but a formality.
What will Labour do? Support it? To get rid of Corbyn? Corbyn has backed the election. Given Corbyn is in charge, I'm not sure I'd have confidence to say that Labour will all vote for it, even with a three line whip. One Labour MP has already said he will not stand for reelection. (Tom Blenkinsop) I suspect there will be more.
Tim Farron has given support to the GE though, so it seems likely it will pass as that's a few of the votes that would be needed to block a GE.
(Note here abstentions do not count to the 434 votes needed.)
Trouble is what would happen if they didn't? Would the government collapse anyway? Might take May's head with it, but...
I guess the good news is that Corbyn will be gone by the end of June.
Otherwise the news is shit I fear. We will vote to give power to the executive with no parliamentary scrutiny. This is about getting rid of any opposition even from within her own party.
How will the campaigning go? Here's a clue:
Tim Montgomerie @montie
Tories want the exln to be about Corbyn and May; LibDems want it to be about Brexit; Labour want it to be about ?
then there is this:
fleetstreetfox@fleetstreetfox
I wonder what'll happen to the SNP. Polls not too chuffed about 2nd indy ref, Labour screwed... could parts of Scotland go blue again?
there will be lots of this about:
Dan Rebellato@DanRebellato
^Right. If we don’t want a huge Tory majority, we must all hold our nose and vote tactically. This MUST happen. How to organise that?
and the strategy is this:
Laura Kuenssberg@bbclaurak
Clear from May and hearing IDS that tories will go after idea of Labour Lib Dem coalition as risky
Council officials are now seeking legal advice over the Gorton By-Election that is scheduled for next month.
One more thing: Does this bury the election expenses row that is brewing and involves May's close adviser Nick Timothy?
Oh and the bottom line?
Alberto Nardelli @AlbertoNardelli
Difference size of Tory majority will make to EU27 negotiating position: 0
Sigh.