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Brexit

The Westministenders / Media Baron Hunger Games continues. Is it about to all implode?

982 replies

RedToothBrush · 10/07/2016 18:51

THE BREXIT FALLOUT OUT CONTINUES - THREAD SEVEN!

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The Story So Far – Blue Corner
Johnson & Gove stabbed Cameron & Osborne. They then won a big vote about something or other. I forget the details. I’m not sure it matters anymore.

Johnson got then stabbed by Gove. Johnson joined Leadsom. Gove got stung by his mate Boles who was trying stab Leadsom, and he ended up getting stabbed by just about everyone.

Where We Are Now – Blue Corner
Out of the ashes of the mess that the posh boys made, emerged two unexpected contenders to become the Torchbearer for the Tories.

#Team May
The Home Secretary, and the former figure of hate, is now looking like she might be the choice of sanity and the one who might just be able to save us from ourselves. She is the choice of the left and centre. The left and centre now being anyone who thinks ‘The 1950s were very nice, but actually we’d prefer not to go back there. A return to the 1970s is far enough, thanks’.

She is supported by just about the entire mainstream media (which in itself is quite an achievement – The Sun and The Guardian being united in editorial opinion) and the majority of Conservative MPs. We don’t know this, but she quite possibly unites the Labour Party on the subject too.

#Team Leadsom
The Junior minister made good, and has outmanoeuvred all her superiors in the cabinet to throw her hat in the ring. The trouble is that she’s either somewhat naïve, a bit of an arsehole or a scheming liar. And that’s the charitable version.

She is emerging as the Sarah Palin of the UK, and has some dubious looking Tea Party links. In the era of post fact politics Project Fear is now Project Smear. Of course this makes her Mrs Umbridge, the poor apple pie lover, bullied by the political elite and media establishment, rather than a fruit cake.

BUT
Underestimate her appeal at your peril. She has a big field of unicorns somewhere that we’ve not been able to track down on googlemaps so far, and she is preparing to unleash them.

She is the choice of the Right. She is supported by much of the depths of twitter, Louise Mensch, UKIP, Arron Banks, BNP and Britain First.

Oh and that tax return? Hmm

Our future fate is to be decided by 150,000 Conservative Members (two thirds of whom are men and roughly 50% of whom are over sixty).

How we look back at David Cameron’s tweet on the 4th May 2015 with such fondness:
Britain faces a simple and inescapable choice - stability and strong Government with me, or chaos with Ed Miliband.

Send me the link for the petition to ‘Come Back Dave, all is forgiven’. We have at least six weeks of this particular shower of shit to look forward to, before the next one hits.

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The Story So Far – Purple Corner
Many years ago, Nigel Farage founded the idea and started his one man campaign for the UK to leave the EU. (Except he didn’t. It was someone else’s idea. He just took over and took the credit for it). He became the poster boy for the Leave campaign, despite not being affiliated with it. He stood and claimed victory, without a shot fired.

As he said to the European Parliament with impeccable manners and good grace, ‘We aren’t laughing now’. To be fair to him, we weren’t. We were all shouting ‘FUCK OFF’ instead. After securing his £7000 pay rise as an MEP, he decided enough was enough, and it was time to ‘get his life back’ (he got sacked) and look for a career as a contestant on reality TV shows.

I hear Help I’m a Celeb have offered half a million for his services.

Where We Are Now – Purple Corner
Quicker than you can say, ‘Oh Thank God(win) for that’, we are already are starting to miss ‘Our Nige’, the cheeky chappy from next door. Instead the options are looking bleak, as candidates start to crawl out from under their rocks. The spectre of Arron Banks and his call to arms for ‘freedom’ lurks in the shadow.

For those of you unfamiliar with Mr Banks so far in this story, he’s one of UKIP’s biggest donors. He and his mate Andy Wigmore run an offshore insurance company out of Gibraltar. Banks, was head honcho of Leave.eu and one of his other mates, hypnotist Paul McKenna, gave advice on how to influence people with propaganda. Banks and Wigmore have some connections with Belize. Bank’s ex-wife was accused of being one of the KGB’s best agents. They are now divorced and she has a harassment order out on him. He does not like the ‘Uk elite’ and takes it personality.
Sounds like just the kind of guy, you’d love to move in as a neighbour.

This is the very definition of shit.

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The Story So Far – Red Corner
Once upon a time, there was a man named Blair. He waved a lot of flags said ‘Cool Britannia’ and smiled a lot. But Tony turned out to not be such a good ‘un. He didn’t play by the rules and got caught out. Blair was made to appear on national television to defend himself. He cried, and told us how he couldn’t sleep at night, but actually he did do the right thing and everyone is still wrong and we are all picking on him.

Does he need to go away and think about it for a while? Say, in a locked room for several years?

Where We Are Now – Red Corner
The WMD that Bliar lost in Iraq finally turned up in Labour HQ on 24th June. However, no one has been prepared to let off a controlled explosion yet. Apparently there is something of an aversion to Big Red Buttons (otherwise know to us simple folks as ‘Agreeing on Something’ and ‘Making Decisions’) within the party.

Corbyn, the champion of Momentum, has been carrying on as if nothing is happening, there is no problem and its everyone else is wrong, insisting that since he had a mandate from the people 10 months ago and it’s all still honky dory. He’s doing his job just fine and leading is well, a bit of an inconvenience to his rally schedule.

The Unions seem to have declared war on Tom Watson. His name has been added to the ever growing list of ‘traitors’.

Across the country action has been taken against these ‘traitors’. Normally this behaviour would be classed as ‘thuggery’ and ‘intimidation’. In post-fact Britain though, this is now acceptable, if it’s from the Left. Violence against Labour members is only disgusting if it is carried out by the right, you see.

Apparently, as the Momentum chief says, ‘winning’ is only a ‘small bit’ of democracy that matters to ‘political elites who want to keep power themselves’.

Obviously political gains that help and protect the interests of the working classes and poor are surplus to requirements. I guess their ultimate aim is to win no Labour seats at all then. Good stuff. We are headed in the right direction for that one.

Angela Eagle left her doorstep, and went on the telly after a week of refusing to make a decision to say ‘Ok I’m going to stand to remove a man who refuses to make decisions’. Apparently she is doing this to ‘Heal Labour’.

Someone break it to her, that if Labour gets its legs blown off by Corbynite, the chances of them healing, are somewhat remote.

To make matter worse, Corbyn disagrees with how you get on the ballot paper, and might not be it at this rate. Or it might end up in court. Like article 50.

Owen Smith is the other pretender to the Crown of Roses. We know who he is now. He’s err… He’s still welsh!

What do we reckon the chances of Labour surviving as one party are? Zero to none? This is more like wading through shit than a shower of it.

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The Story So Far – Yellow Corner
Tumbleweed

Where We Are Now – Yellow Corner
Everyone’s been praying for a ruddy miracle to end this torture and give the country an opposition party. Finally, Tim Farron, has awoken, removed his splinters from his arse, got off the fence in response to this. Amid growing rumblings of a complete political realignment and fleeing Labour and Conservative MPs, he says:

‘Hey folks, this political turmoil looks fun, can we join in too?!’

FACEPALM

No shit left to share.

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The consensus of opinion is that we might be a tiny teeny bit screwed.
Did someone mention the EU? EU? Oh fuck that, we’ve just about forgotten all that now!
Bigger fish to fry.
British ones of course.

We need really do need Gandalf to come save us from this madness.

Sense of humour compulsory. No experience necessary though

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www.mumsnet.com/Talk/eu_referendum_2016_/2680148-The-Westministenders-Media-Baron-Hunger-Games-continues-Who-is-trying-to-outmanoeuvre-who?pg=1 Previous thread 6

The Westministenders / Media Baron Hunger Games continues. Is it about to all implode?
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Thread gallery
18
Chalalala · 11/07/2016 10:18

AE has filed her leadership challenge papers.

Wow never thought this day would come

I don't particularly rate AE and think she would make a lacklustre leader. However, good on her for stepping up when she knows she has very low chances and is risking her own deselection. Someone has to be the sacrificial lamb in order to end the stalemate.

BigChocFrenzy · 11/07/2016 10:21

I'm stunned that Labour are totalling ignoring Arron Banks and his aims for a majority far right alliance.
The Tories will swing seriously to the right even under May - and without a GE.
All those years of Corbyn's wing in street protests about wrongs in countries across the world.

Wakeup you dozy lot - the far right is trying to take over here !

nauticant · 11/07/2016 10:24

Yes, someone had to do it even though they'll get humiliated and possibly wreck their Parliamentary career. I think it's to AE's credit.

TheBathroomSink · 11/07/2016 10:25

IF AL was putting herself out there as a serious candidate, I'd (possibly) take her seriously, in much the same way that the overwhelming criticism of TM has been that she's happy to trample over Human Rights. So far, AL has talked about kids, roast dinners and being upset, on top of claiming she was misquoted when she wasn't not to mention that entire AP article in the Telegraph. If she showed any intention to be an actual politician and not just Arron Banks' glove puppet, then I expect we'd set to picking apart her actual proposals.

RedToothBrush · 11/07/2016 10:25

www.libdemvoice.org/eeaefta-route-presents-a-way-out-of-the-brexit-impasse-51255.html#utm_source=tweet&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=twitter

The Norway option. As pitched by a Lib Dem on their voices website.

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TheBathroomSink · 11/07/2016 10:28

I am frankly shocked that out of my possibilities for today being an AL tax return, an AE leadership bid or my bloody unicorn turning up, I still don't have the unicorn, but we do have an AE challenge and a sort-of AL tax return, even if it's a bit vague and quite late.

Shocked.

RedToothBrush · 11/07/2016 10:29

Personally, I'm not in favour of that, but its interesting to see that support for it is potentially growing. Its interesting to see from a Lib Dem member given their pro-Eu position.

I think there are lots and lots of flaws with going for that plan (most notably will we even be allowed to).

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TheBathroomSink · 11/07/2016 10:30

That Trident vote next week? Labour MPs have a free vote: www.politicshome.com/news/uk/defence/news/77170/labour-mps-get-free-vote-trident-renewal-clive-lewis

Clive Lewis:
“My understanding is it will be a free vote because we understand the Conservatives are playing political games with national security.
“The official line would be a non-whipped position.”
The comments immediately drew criticism from John Woodcock, the chair of the PLP’s defence committee, who branded it an “absurd, embarrassing abdication of responsibility on [a] crucial matter of national security and many thousands of jobs”.

BigChocFrenzy · 11/07/2016 10:32

George Eaton (political editor of New Statesman) tweets:
"Labour NEC members tell me they think they can keep Corbyn off the ballot – if vote is secret." Hmm

Secrecy is always such a great way to restore trust.
Now for a bitterly divisive leadership election, which Corbyn probably wins again if he is a candidate.
He has got to GO.

Any hope that members will be fed up with a powerless Labour and vote him out ?
They won't vote Eagle, but she is hopefully just a weapon of distraction, while the serious candidates move in.

Rumours that the Batley & Spen by-election will be an opportunity for David Miliband to return from exile and rescue Labour from doom & self-destruction.
BUT, it has an all women shortlist and would be reluctant to change this after losing Jo. Also, it is not a good time to parachute an anointed into any "safe" seat.

It may now just be a fight over who gets to keep the Labour party brand, database and funds after an almost inevitable split.

RedToothBrush · 11/07/2016 10:33

Ben Bradshaw Verified account @BenPBradshaw

NB to the media : Requiring Corbyn to collect nominations just like any other candidate is not "keeping him off the ballot".

Well I guess this is the line that's going to be taken then...

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RedToothBrush · 11/07/2016 10:39

Batley and Spen rumour been doing the rounds for at least a week.

Not sure how seriously to take it, but I did think his Guardian article last week was interesting (I did link to it here).

I did wonder if it was to 'prepare the water'.

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ReggaeShark · 11/07/2016 10:40

The BathroomSink I like the Guardian's differentiation between TM publishing her "tax returns for 4 years" and AL publishing "tax information for one year". Don't understand why other publications aren't all over this.

RedToothBrush · 11/07/2016 10:46

Reggae the answer is simply how do Torygraph and Times readers do their tax returns?

They don't want it digging up.

Who benefits from challenging it? The left. The working class.

The elites of Banks and Leadsom know this. Its crackers.
This is why you need an effective opposition to draw attention to it.

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antimatter · 11/07/2016 10:47

www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/11/brexit-parliament-should-make-ultimate-decision-on-whether-to-leave-eu-barristers-say?CMP=fb_gu

The letter is the latest initiative aimed at persuading Downing Street not to exercise royal prerogative powers and instead allow parliament to make the ultimate decision. At the weekend, the government turned down a multimillion signatory online petition pleading for a second referendum.

TheBathroomSink · 11/07/2016 10:49

Reggae - I think the papers aren't pushing the differences too much, because TM, DC and GO only published accountants' statements, not their actual tax returns. They can push on the number of years, though.

RedToothBrush · 11/07/2016 10:54

Saving Labour, the group trying to recruit people into the Labour party to vote against Jeremy Corbyn, has put out a statement this morning saying it hopes to get the Labour membership up to 1m. Here’s an extract.

Labour party membership is less than 1% of the population, and Tory Party members – 0.2% of the population – will decide our next prime minister. A generation ago 3.5m Britons were members of a political party. Today the figure is nearer one million.

We want people from all walks of life to join our campaign and help us save Labour by joining as a registered supporter or a member.

Apathy? The real curse of our generation?

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NoCryingInEngineering · 11/07/2016 10:55

LongWeek I think MPs should be more vocal about the risks of the job sometimes. I have vague memories of not being allowed to open the post in the early 80s when DFs job was occasionally connected with NI so should have some idea that is not all glory. But even still my mental image of MPs is HoC debates and posh dinners, not endless correspondence and attempting to fight the system on behalf of constituents with ongoing problems.

Re Southern Trains, DH says that the timetable on that line is actually unachievable even on a perfect day and has always relied on significant amounts of driver overtime. So they can change the franchise all they like but it will still have the same problems

ALs 'as a Mum' thing just really grates. The only things I am better at as a result of being a Mum is dealing with other people's unexpected bodily fluids. As I'm not in a health care job this isn't exactly a massive career boost

nauticant · 11/07/2016 10:56

Don't understand why other publications aren't all over this.

They will also be aware that pushing someone to provide additional disclosure of their tax affairs will not be wildly applauded by the members of the Tory Party. These are largely 60+ affluent ABC1 males.

This is a good example of why newspapers are never wholly disinterested providers of news. They will cover stuff or omit it and spin according to their own agendas.

RedToothBrush · 11/07/2016 11:01

May about to launch her campaign. On BBC News shortly.

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MrsLupo · 11/07/2016 11:07

Angela Eagle is officially launching at 12 today, according to Labour List, so I guess that means there'll be a press conference then. No more tears, hopefully.

For the Corbyn fans (I know you're here) or perhaps more importantly for his determined detractors, this is an interesting article about the British media's attitude to him, which was published in Jacobin, an American left-wing (so, not very left-wing really) magazine, this weekend.

GingerIvy · 11/07/2016 11:07

Unite leader condemns 'attempted political lynching' of Jeremy Corbyn
BBC political correspondents tweet...
Posted at
11:02
Follow
iain watson ✔ @iainjwatson
Len McCluskey of #unite says a challenge to Labour's leader is 'an attempted political lynching designed to bully and bludgeon Jeremy Corbyn
10:34 AM - 11 Jul 2016
10 10 Retweets 3 3 likes
Report
Follow
iain watson ✔ @iainjwatson
Len McCluskey also warns of the 'mother of all splits'
10:54 AM - 11 Jul 2016
1 1 Retweet 3 3 likes
Report
Follow
Ross Hawkins @rosschawkins
McCluskey: instigators of anti Corbyn plot will be "branded forever with the mark of infamy for betraying their party and their country"
10:35 AM - 11 Jul 2016

RedToothBrush · 11/07/2016 11:13

May - focus on mp unity.
In 'Great City' of Birmingham to launch campaign.
Strong leadership needed.
Best deal for
BREXIT MEANS BREXIT (emphasised)
Need to unite country and party
Not for the privileged few but for everyone
We can not be defined exclusively by Brexit. We need to focus on serious social issues.
(Goes through list of inequalities - race, religion, age, class, mental health)
Economy for everyone. a society for everyone bring back together. North and south, rich and poor, private and public sector
In coming weeks will set out plans for economy to deal with UK long standing productivity problem.
Frustration over what happened after 2008. The people who suffered - job security, young people not able to get on property ladder, pay cuts.
Criticises Westminister and says we have been out of touch.
Says people who still don't get it (dig at LD and Labour - mentions those who want to ignore the result).
BREXIT MEANS BREXIT - there will be no way back into the EU. (claps)

FOR EVERYONE the slogan apparently

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flippinada · 11/07/2016 11:20

Loving this threads Red, thank you for keeping them going.

Chalala I'm pleased Angela Eagle has finally confirmed she is standing. I think it's a brave decision personally as she must know she'll be absolutely crucified by certain sections of the party - and there'll be a nasty dollop of misogyny and homophobia served alongside as well.

Regarding the sacrificial lamb comments, I agree completely and don't understand why others are so short sighted they can't see why she's doing this.

Ginger those comments from Len McCluskey are unsurprising. I think some LP members and supporters are more concerned with having an ideologically pure Labour Party than one which is electable.

BigChocFrenzy · 11/07/2016 11:22

EEA: That was very interesting from the Liberals, especially that there is some scope to limit immigration, which I hadn't realised.

I've hoped for EEA since the Brexit vote, because it seems the least harmful option.
Also, the only one we could probably negotiate in time (we could be allowed to extend the 2 years):

Germany and France want a reasonable deal that won't wreck the EU, but will avoid a major trading partner collapsing.
The US under the Democrats will reportedly place major pressure on Norway & reluctant EU countries for the least painful deal, to avoid a UK, maybe even EU, meltdown.
The UK and Europe are sufficiently important - both trade and strategically, with Putin being so agressive - that they'll invest a lot of muscle to avoid disaster.
(If Trump gets in, the universe changes - and political polls will be issued only inside Harry Potter books)

EEA would be accepted, albeit grudgingly, by almost all the 48% plus those Leavers motivated mainly by sovereignty - the original plan for Leave.eu was EEA anyway, until their bankroller Arron Banks squashed it.
I'm alarmed that hardline Brexiters (even on Mumsnet) are insisting they have won what amounts to the WTO option - which is what the Tory right are demanding and what Banks seem to think his £ zillion funding of leave.eu has earned him.

The Brexit vote was a decision to leave the EU, not a veto on how we do it.

Red If you don't fancy EEA, what is your favourite ?
The WTO looks dreadful, raw unfettered capitalism pitting UK workers vs others on a few $ per day, a race to the bottom for the 90%.
Brexit appears politically irreversible whatever the damage.

RedToothBrush · 11/07/2016 11:22

Have four things to do

  1. Reform the economy
  2. Put people back in control of their lives
  3. Give people opportunity.
  4. Tough on irresponsible behaviour on Big Business.

More house building.
Plan to help all our regional city.
Need stakeholder strategy - not just about shareholder. Also workers and communities. Talks about Astra Zenca. Talks about some protectism being possible to british business.
Employees on company boards.
Infrastructure shared by local people.
In name of equality, Labour end up holding people back.
Tackling executive pay and gap between average workers pay and the executives.
Tax; we need to talk about tax. We believe in a low tax economy. But tax is the price we pay for living in a civilised society. No individual or company has a responsibility to pay taxes. mentions google, amazon and starbucks.
Will crack down on tax invasion and avoidance. (hello Andrea!).
This is a different kind of conservatism, but its still in line with values.
We believe in communities.
We believe in passing something to next generation.
We believe in Britain. Mentions Churchill.
To lead on behalf of people. At moments of great national change we have led.

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