The Westminster Arms

Boris (and Dylan's) very short acceptance speech for parliamentarian of the year award from Spectator:

blogs.spectator.co.uk/2020/01/boris-johnsons-acceptance-speech-for-parliamentarian-of-the-year/

The trouble with starting Peoples's PMQs is that he will be expected to continue and that may be difficult.
There is a lot of interest at the moment because of new govt., Brexit etc but I think that may wear off.
There was a lot of support coming through yesterday as well as insults and complaints. I worry that the support may well go quiet as they get things done and Brexit is no longer a big divisive issue.
Also surely he'll have weeks when he can't be there.
I think either it should be different ministers each week or questions about a specific topic eg transport, all though that could be seen as restricting debate.
Brilliant idea of Dom's though.

For me, it honestly doesn't matter whether it's a good idea or not, or whether we will be richer or poorer, more open as a society or more closed

Well I suppose if you don't expect anything you won't be disappointed! The idea that 'democracy' is served above any other need or expectation isn't going to cut the mustard with many others, if any others.

People have been led to believe that Brexit is a solution, a step in a direction to somewhere, even if they can't explain what it is, they will be waiting for something to happen. I can't imagine they will be satisfied with the idea that Brexit is the thing, entire of itself.

ommmward I think that sums up the problem really - that’s your measure of success but not everyone will agree with it - I certainly don’t but such is life

Anyway, I don’t want to derail so, as you were. 🍻

Thanks for the good wishes. I'll just park myself by the fire with a bucket of tea. Give me a thump on the back if I stop breathing!

I really can't warm to Gove at all. I know it shouldn't be about personalities.

Lily, is your next Friday dinner a posh do? I haven't heard a single thing in our village about any Brexit celebrations, which is surprising as it's a leave area.

Raab's coming round later you say Copper? As pub inspector, I'll be around to check the health and safety aspect of his installation.

North Wales. Mrs Trellis is from North Wales

I think Johnson's people's pmqs does a very clever job of taking the wind out of the sails of Corbyn's "I speak to and for the people" trick, where he used to spend pmqs relaying questions from Mrs Trellis in llandidod wells (now I'm annoyed that I can't remember which town Mrs Trellis is from).

Also, without taat-ing (can't face posting in the lion's den), and for you with a friendly arm squeeze, 🐻, THIS is a successful Brexit: where the democratic choice of the electorate is enacted by the elites. For me, it honestly doesn't matter whether it's a good idea or not, or whether we will be richer or poorer, more open as a society or more closed. The key thing is that we are still a democracy (it's possible that I spend too much time listening to Triggernometry).

Good morning all!

Sorry, Raab not Arab.
Autocorrect is getting worse

Dusty
Arab has just agreed to come and help install this bloody great coffee me hind thingy.
It will take some shifting and needs some shelving for the supplies.
I told him to just ask for the LL.
He'll be around later as he is not busy today
😉😉😉💪🏻

Morning Bear,
I remember Gove on Andrew Marr. Marr asked a really long question about fishing rights and Gove said "yes"
Marr commented that he was used to the answers taking longer than the questions.
I have liked Gove ever since.

Gove not above!

Morning all!

I always think above speaks too quickly for a politician - the more words you get out the more trouble you can get into! 😂

Can I ask a serious question?
Does the pub have one of those posh coffee machines that can make a weak cappuccino?
And if so please can I have a decaf one while I build the fire.
It's cold and damp here.
Come over to the pub Snippy and curl up here by this fire.

Thanks Bellini, I will listen.

I too am looking forward to the reshuffle as I am expecting Boris to get rid of Michael Gove.
And I like Govy. I am sure I am the only one who does but I think he is straight forward and honest. But he did knife Boris in the back just after the referendum so I await the retaliation. We'll see.

Did anyone watch Boris' Peoples'PMQs. Interesting concept. I hope he can keep it up. The questions and comments were coming up on the screen and were a mixture of daft questions, comments, both positive and negative but some decent serious questions.
He talked about the price of sanpro and girls.
The whole thing sounds like a Dom idea.

@Coppersulphate , it was the Today programme, yesterday (22 Jan). In the last hour - I was driving to work having dropped dd off and I reckon about 8.20 but I could be wrong.

Oh and sorry about your lurgy and sleep-depriving cough.

I'm pretty sleep-deprived myself but it's because of the cat. He's lonely and has been in need of attention since 😬 3.21am.

I’m actually looking forward to a good reshuffle now; anyone else?

Me, Snippy, definitely. Boris's leadership style, as you know, is inclined to being the Chair rather than Theresa's stultifying micro-manager approach. His Cabinet ministers are given latitude within their areas of delegation.

This reshuffle will, I believe, tell us a great deal about what the future holds.

There's already what appears to be a lot of in-post auditioning going on.

Thanks for the roundup and the breakfast Singing

Breakfast particularly welcome as I was planning on meeting a friend for breakfast this morning but I have been up half the night with this damned cough.

Regretfully cancelled, the BB last thing she needs is to catch whatever this bloody lurgy is. I shall stay in and grump all day instead.

Ms Truss is taking questions this morning but not sure which of her hats she is wearing so I’ll have a gander at Parliament TV and see if she says anything interesting on trade or women.

I’m actually looking forward to a good reshuffle now; anyone else?

Do you anticipate any problems with the EU signing it off?

Not anymore, Hospitality, the EU sees it as inevitable too.

What is interesting is that despite all the huffing and puffing about Clause 33, the EU signed up to the revised Political Declaration on 17 October 2019, which sets 31 December 2020 as the deadline for agreeing the future relationship and trade. Why do that if it is not thought achievable?

Negotiation Poker, clearly.

Matt's take on RLB...

Morning Bellini,
What programme was nandy on R4. I want to listen on Sounds.

Morning everyone and thanks for the breakfast Singing.
I realise AB came second to Corbyn but that was then. I think (hope) labour members have moved on and may realise their mistake.
I thought he would do well if he stood again. He couldn't of course because he is no longer an MP. And his Leigh seat went blue.

I don't like Cooper. Her constituency is strong leave and she always fought remain. I felt she was ignoring their vote. Lisa Nandy went with how Wigan voted but Cooper stuck with remain.
I am sure she felt strongly about it but so did they.
Anyway it's water under the bridge now.

Dusty, I did see some disappointing shades of sneerability with LN last night on Peston.

RL-B hopes none of her non-political friends are Tories or she would be angry.

Nandy on R4 Today yesterday was very good. I have a Labour activist (non-Corbyn) colleague who said he was impressed. And he doesn't impress easy with any of them.