The Westminster Arms

Labour’s official NEC report into its worst electoral defeat for 80 years concludes that it was not Jeremy Corbyns fault.

Morning, all,

PMQs today so expect forensically probing questions from Jezza about Huawei and HS2. On second thoughts, just expect the usual performance while Dawn Butler sits next to him, nodding her head and mouthing “That’s right” to everything he says. Even when he’s patently not right.

The last party leader to hold the PM to account was Angus Robertson and he left in 2017. He’d have known what to ask.

In the HoL, Lord Lisvane has an oral question scheduled; when will the Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission be established. The Commission will “examine the broader aspects of the constitution in depth and develop proposals to restore trust in our institutions and in how our democracy operates”. In other words, halt the march of “judicial activism” (of the Lady Hale variety), redefine the scope of judicial review, undo some of Tony Blair’s meddling bright ideas, and restore the balance between Parliament and the Supreme Court.

In other news, Mike Pompeo is flying in to meet with Dominic Raab to talk about Huawei and, no doubt, the US’s refusal to extradite Anne Sacoolas, before moving on to Ukraine tomorrow.

Meanwhile, YouGov’s first voting intention poll since the GE puts the Tories on 49%, a full 20 points ahead of Labour. At the election the Tories won almost 45% of the vote, 12 points more than Labour. The period of reflection and the long-drawn-out leadership contest are really making a difference then. If going backwards is the plan.

Morning, Scary, I suspect the EU will make hay in the next eleven months with all the reforms the UK would have objected to. I'll be glad to reach 31 December for a number of reasons.

This morning, the complimentary breakfast tray features omelettes with wild mushrooms, cooked to order. Please help yourselves.

Kettle’s on ☕️☕️☕️

Last weekend there were lots of Gilets Jaunes protests across France in places like Lyon. It is being kept v quiet in our media.

If it is bad now, as Macron tries to get this through, imagine what it will be like when EU wide pension regulation comes in, as it will within the next couple of years. looking at the inheritance laws that are coming as well, I hope we are out before it happens or it might pertain to us, and completely change how we do it.

Night, Autumn.
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Thistime,* I usually listen to French radio during the day (trying to improve my colloquial French) but have let the habit slide the last couple of months (bereavements) and you are right. The gilets jaunes protests are little reported here. Paris has been hard hit for nigh on two months and businesses in the centre, especially tourist-related, are suffering as a consequence of what's going on.

I doubt Macron will blink. He sees himself as a man of destiny. I doubt the protesters will blink either. This is hard core.

A lot of what’s happening in France is being suppressed by our media. I have been following on and off the Gilet Jaunes and their treatment by police is horrendous.
Also, has anyone else seen the clips of doctors and lawyers throwing down their coats/robes in protest of the government?

Lily ah, I gave up looking at the a Guardian a while ago.

France 24 - just looking at the website- seems very calm so hopefully it’s not as bad I’m picturing.

I’m attempting an early night, unusual for me. Hope it works! See you all in the morning.

The Guardian are reporting about Paris, as is France 24. I cannot imagine any circumstance here in which riot police would use teargas grenades against firefighters while firefighters symbolically set fire to themselves.

That makes Paris doubly vulnerable to arsonists and other criminals.

Horrifying.

So.....Paris is burning, as the song says? I mean protest wise.

Hard to tell if it’s very bad and news is suppressed. Hope everyone’s okay anyway.

Sapper Hate reportin' back. Nt much going on out there.

Enters Telephone Box (Red) - exits as

The Most Beautiful Creature On Earth.

Gives Advice:

Be Nice To Them - And Carry On.

And flies off leaving the situation to progress.

In that case, a very warm welcome, BMW6!

I've found you! Been lurking on Arms threads for years and was perplexed what had happened after the last thread filled up!

I've brought many bottles of Stolly and they're in the freezer ready for Friday 11pm, should be seriously gloopy by then

Here you go snippy.
There might be a few After Eights left in the box (not if they were in my house there wouldn't be).

Copper I remember it like yesterday. I got up at 6.30 and searched for the result online. I ran upstairs and shouted to DH, “leave won, we’re leaving”. The rest of the day was like a dream. Little did we know what battles lay ahead.
In other news, Irish candidate, GP Catherine Noone had to issue an apology to Leo Varadkar after saying he’s autistic, he’s on the spectrum. He’s uncomfortable socially and he doesn’t always get the in-between bits. Not a fan of Leo but pretty insulting to people who are autistic.

You found it already Autum lol

Official Got Brexit Done Merch

Oh wow, pricey

And no postage calculation till you put your details in.

I didn’t know there was official Brexit merch!

Just had an email from the Conservative party trying to sell me official Brexit 'Merch'.

A 'Got Brexit Done' teatowel, with pic of Boris on it.
An 'I Got Brexit Done' Mug with 31st ofJan on it.
A 'Got Brexit Done' Magnet, with pic of Boris on it.
A Limited Edition 'vicTORY' mug with 14 million votes on it.

So tempting, I am spoilt for choice.

Thanks all.
And Copper the GP did ask if I had been to China!

Your link works well Singing. I remember it well. I had stayed up watching BBC resigned to losing, and I remember David Dimbleby saying we are leaving the European Union.
Then I watched DC and somehow thought it would go through Parliament easily, not quickly, but easily.

Fool that I was.

I am still baffled by MPs whose manifestos said they will honour the result, campaigning to remain.
Still baffled.
And I won't believe it's happening until 11pm on Friday.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Gina Miller asking for a judicial review. Can we kidnap her until Saturday

Can we please put a picture of her in the corner covering the darts board.
I think it will attract more customers.

Large cappuccino from that shiny new machine please.
Don't suppose you have any cherry pie left over Singing.

Get well soon Snippy and stay away from China.

Lily your link works!

And reminds me...I went to bed around 5.30 that morning....so by the time I got out of bed, Cameron, having promised to respect the result and enact it, had resigned!

Ahhhhhhh, remember the good old days!

I'm going for a mooch around (flask on hip - pint in hand) - my goal is to keep 'measured' whilst watching it all pan out. Haha - maybe.

There is a lot of 'newsworthy' news going on too, which I do find somewhat refreshing, but one doesn't take the eye off the ball, and so far I quite like what I'm hearing about 'policy' directions.

Cheers all - stacks up fire - and elegantly sashays out into the night.

I won't say no hospitality, I like to tidy up these odds and sods lying around from Christmas. Any After Eights?

It worked Lily. If only we'd known what was to come after that 'I'll steady the ship' speech

Get better soon snippy. Could I get you a mulled wine to ease your cough, left over from Christmas but still in date?