Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Brexit

Westministenders: Up Shit Creek without Wifi.

999 replies

RedToothBrush · 29/04/2017 22:12

Theresa May is being held hostage.

There is mounting evidence that all is not as it seems at CCHQ. It makes you don your tin foil hat and ask who is in charge.

Theresa May was a Remainer. She suddenly abandoned that when she became leader. Her proclamation of what would follow next seems directly at odds with her actions. This is not her fault. This is her plea for help and way of telling the outside world that she is a prisoner of Brexit.

At first it seemed like perhaps she had been locked up with Brexiteers for too long. She seemed to be developing a survival strategy which seemed totally irrational to outsiders. The signs of intimidation everywhere though. Instead of criticising those who did this, May joined in with them or was complicit in her silence.

Things are now taking a sinister turn. After repeatedly saying ‘No Election’, May crumbled and called one. She has now not been seen in public since. Instead she is being wheeled out at closed events to the party faithful. They are being dressed as mixing with the people but they are no such thing. The plebs in attendance are set to ‘mute’ or locked out completely.

Behold the coming of the May-Bot. She seeks to ‘prevent tourism’ in Wales. She now no longer knows which town she is currently in. (Much less have a plan for Brexit). She accuses an organisation set up to use its numbers to get better deals, of doing what it is supposed to, except she calls this ‘ganging up’.

May is not transported in a bus. Oh no. Instead she travels by the Bond Villian’s choice of transport; the helicopter.

More worrying still is the mantra ‘Strong and Stable’ repeated as many times as possible. It is almost as if, if she says it enough she might start believing it. She certainly has got her party members brainwashed and acting as if they were Zombies. Who needs ‘Spice’ when you are a Conservative? They ‘Believe’…

The ploy is to hoodwink people into voting for May instead of the Tories. CCHQ have removed Conservative branding from literature and campaigning in the North. The party are still too toxic, but May apparently scores well especially against Corbyn. Ironically however negatively I think of Corbyn he does display something May increasingly seems incapable of: humanity.

Many people might think of May as some sort of dictator figure. Its true. Every vote for her strengthens her hand. But not for Brexit negotiations. Mainly because Brexit is without merit or reward. Not unless you hold power. This is part 2 of the grab for it.

This is May’s power paradox. SHE is not powerful. She isn’t persuasive. She isn’t a healer of divides. She relies on authoritarian measures to get her way. This isn’t a sign of her personal power, but a sign of her personal weakness. She is sly and sneaky in her methods rather than compelling others to come along with her. They are doing so more because they dislike the alternative in Corbyn less.

She is not stable. She has lurched from one drama to the next, and has repeatedly been forced to back down from what she wanted. Nothing says ‘stability’ and ‘good leadership’ like appointing Boris Johnson Foreign Secretary. The lady is not so much for turning and leading, but is already staggering around dizzy whilst blindfolded playing pin the tail on the donkey. And Christ she’s got a lot of them in her Government. Including the numpty who decided to do a live event and broadcast it in an area with no wi-fi. Mind you, that is soon to be the entire country. Or what’s left of it.

She had said she had a mandate for Brexit and did not need this to be approved by the country as she was getting on with the job. This is why we are having a General Election to give her a mandate…

Not only that, but there is a lurking question here that should not be forgotten. Who is pulling May’s strings and making her dance as her actions are not natural? Every puppet show has puppet masters behind the scenes of the stage, hiding in the shadows.

They will dispense with their toy once she has outlived her usefulness like every good baddie.

Is she the one we should be most fearful of?

Hold on tight this is going to be a very bumpy ride over the next two years. Just how many casualties will be sacrificed on the altar of Brexit?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
23
HashiAsLarry · 03/05/2017 08:19

woman it's very sad no one will do it. Except Gina Miller if she'd have had time.

Though I wonder if a hike in the price of Baileys may finally make my df realise the eu did some good things Wink

Peregrina · 03/05/2017 08:21

For me, the argument I will try with the relative who isn't sure how to vote after being a Labour supporter for ever, would be that Corbyn will be gone within a few years. If the NHS is destroyed it will take a generation to rebuild - so he will probably be long gone and his daughter, now in her twenties, will be a pensioner.

Eeeeeowwwfftz · 03/05/2017 08:21

Oof. A lot of replies. I've not flounced off, just v busy. And when I see one of the many excellent ripostes to my earlier position, someone else comes up with the rejoinder I had in mind so I don't feel there is much to add.

illegitimate (I think) in your position I'd probably vote Lab, although being a Lib/Lab marginal makes it a harder decision. I would consider it a priority to get as many decent Labour MPs in as possible, as they will need a good pool of talent to draw on to shake off the Corbs. My Lab MP is also excellent and potentially leadership material in my view (though not yet) and if he's out of the house there's no way to get him there.

There was an article in the Graun a few days ago about a much reduced Labour Party actually entrenching Corbyns position due to the number of centrists (or rightists, depending on your point of view) going down. Then he easily commands the 15% or whatever is needed to get on the ballot.

Kaija · 03/05/2017 08:32

"And also - you have to assume that if the Lib Dems were as successful as they were in 2010, they would be talking to the tories first. And in my book, the first thing to go would be their resistance to brexit."

I don't think this is true. Lib Dems are keenly aware that they owe their huge rise in numbers pretty much solely to their position on the EU.

Motheroffourdragons · 03/05/2017 08:41

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ to protect the privacy of the user.

Kaija · 03/05/2017 08:46

Who would you trust more?

illegitimateMortificadospawn · 03/05/2017 08:48

Thanks Eeeeeow. It has been helpful writing my earlier post, in that I recognise the value of our current MP's overt and principled Remain position. They also have cabinet potential/ability. We need to hang on to the moderates and, in my MP's case, it is not distasteful or painful to vote for them. I just hope the national picture is damning enough to force a leadership election (and the party uses the opportunity to pick someone competent & credible to the wider electorate).

Motheroffourdragons · 03/05/2017 08:51

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ to protect the privacy of the user.

RedToothBrush · 03/05/2017 09:01

www.independent.co.uk/news/health/brexit-latest-news-repeal-law-public-health-threat-warning-fundamental-right-eu-charter-uk-law-white-a7714081.html
Brexit: Lawyers warn of industry influence over public health laws as EU 'fundamental right' is axed

‘Brexit – if it is the kind of cutting 'red tape' Brexit that PM Theresa May has suggested – could indeed give powerful companies more leverage against consumers, patients and citizens’

This means after Brexit, industry could have greater influence over laws regarding “pesticide residues in food, health and safety at work, management and disposal of hazardous substances, regulation of medicinal products, and air and water quality.”

We become the EUs dumping ground.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/may/03/brexit-could-wipe-out-welsh-farming-says-union?CMP=twt_gu
Brexit could wipe out Welsh farming, says union
Farmers fear Westminster will impose England-centric replacement for CAP, with knock-on effects for tourism and language

Farming in Snowdonia will be wiped out by Brexit unless the next government matches subsidies under the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) pound for pound, the president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has said.

While CAP has been criticised in the past for supporting inefficient agricultural practices, FUW’s Glyn Roberts said Welsh farmers were so impoverished they could not survive without the subsidy.

“The average farmer earns £13,000 a year and 80% of that is from CAP,” he said, pointing out that their income was less than half the national average wage of £26,500

Andrew Neil @afneil
UK media needs to be careful about taking every bit of Brussels spin/propaganda at face value, without question, context, sceptical analysis

Alberto Nardelli @ AlbertoNardelli
UK media apply the same care when covering bananas and buses

OP posts:
HashiAsLarry · 03/05/2017 09:02

Who would you trust more?
Over Brexit, the only party I'd trust vaguely was a cross party alliance.
Failing that it's a question of do you trust the party who've proven themselves useless when they've had the chance? Or do you take a punt and hope someone else will do better?

It's got to go mp by mp though. The more pro remain MPs from any party exist, the more an oppositions exists.

RedToothBrush · 03/05/2017 09:08

www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39789693?ocid=socialflow_twitter&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=twitter
www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39789693?ocid=socialflow_twitter&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=twitter

The broadcaster, which makes Coronation Street, is seen as a possible takeover target in an industry that is consolidating as viewers increasingly watch content on demand and on different platforms.
In early morning trading, ITV shares were down 1.75%.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/how-you-decide-who-vote-10339857
How do you decide who to vote for when they're all THIS rubbish?

There is a way around it, and it's called a points-based politician system

(It's tongue in cheek but actually a fair way of deciding)

OP posts:
woman12345 · 03/05/2017 09:13

@faisalislam
...whole "vote local with your heart as JC cant win" strategy obviously spooking some: PM spent some time persuading activists Corbyn cd win

missmoon · 03/05/2017 09:33

On the issue of trusting the Lib Dems after tuition fees, just to point out that Tim Farron voted against the fees increase during the coalition.

On tactical voting, I would say if there is a decent Labour MP who is pro-remain and has voted as such, then that would be the obvious choice. If there is a sitting Tory MP (wirth maybe two or three exceptions for e.g. Ken Clarke, Anna Soubry etc.) then vote for the pro-remain candidate with the best chance. If the closest candidate is a pro-Brexit labour candidate then it's a tough choice. In that case I would say vote Lib Dem or Green as the national vote totals will also matter (for the "mandate" question). If it's a Tory-UKIP marginal then I guess vote Tory unless the Tory lead is very large, in which case vote Lib Dem or Green for the national totals. That's what I would do anyway... although around here only the Lib Dems have a chance against the awful Tory MP, so it's an easy choice.

BigChocFrenzy · 03/05/2017 09:49

The problem with May that as PM - and before as Home Sec - she didn't tolerate different views
She has the power to dominate anyone weaker and under her control, i.e in the uk
That's why she's so useless negotiating with the EU, who have by far the stronger position

No "Remainer" here is saying May should just roll over - despite what the occasional visits Brexiter may claim
However,
in a negotiation, above all, you need to go in knowing the feasible boundaries and conditions.
You need to look competent
Not like a delusional ignoramus

The EU negotiators were chosen for their expertise and knowledge in this field
May needs to collect and listen to < shock > British experts
She might even bring in someone like Leaver Richard North, if she doesn't trust civil service or EU insiders.

Stamping her foot and repeating Brexit is Brexit will probably get her a large majority in the UK, but will get her absolutely nowhere with the EU

Mariner and Juncker will just quietly warn the E27 to plan for a Brexit without a deal
Bad for them, but much much worse for the UK

BigChocFrenzy · 03/05/2017 09:51

Barnier and Juncker < blimey, autocorrect !>

prettybird · 03/05/2017 10:09

For a wee bit of amusement, here's an Independanista blogger's take on the weekend's "leaks" Grin

https://weegingerdug.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/in-a-galaxy-far-far-away/

I liked this metaphor of Theresa May the cat in case anyone wonders trying to engage with the serious scientists he'd begin the string theory analogy earlier A pet cat playing with the UK’s ball of wool in a meeting of quantum physicists discussing String theory is having a wonderfully friendly and constructive time of it, but that doesn’t mean that it’s got the foggiest idea of what’s really going on or what’s at stake.

But more seriously.....

A prime minister with an obsession with secrecy is a prime minister who doesn’t trust the people whom she’s asking to trust her.

Peregrina · 03/05/2017 10:13

If the closest candidate is a pro-Brexit labour candidate then it's a tough choice.

I am not sure about that one even. I would say that if your Labour candidate was a good constituency MP who really worked for their constituents, they would still be better than a faceless Tory, or LibDem/Green who are no hopers. I would still say, think of what other causes they support.

Kaija · 03/05/2017 10:17

Unless it's Kate Hoey.

Motheroffourdragons · 03/05/2017 10:18

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ to protect the privacy of the user.

HashiAsLarry · 03/05/2017 10:21

Adam Bienkov‏ @AdamBienkov
Shout of "bingo" from the press seats as David Davis rattles out his "coalition of chaos" slogan.

Please please please let this become a thing.

LurkingHusband · 03/05/2017 10:42

The problem I have, is that any vote for Labour will be taken as a vote for Brexit, irrespective of the candidates stated views, as that is the official policy of the Labour party.

It's a shame Labour couldn't have devised a policy of a second referendum with much clearer parameters. I could vote for that.

I'm resigned to seeing things deteriorate in my autumn years, mirroring the improvements I saw in my youth. Pivoting around 2010 ....

HashiAsLarry · 03/05/2017 10:44

Oh dear. When oh when will Political Parties and Media Companies learn to have trial runs of their posters, including standing someone in front of them?

Westministenders: Up Shit Creek without Wifi.
LurkingHusband · 03/05/2017 10:52

Sorry, is there a new series of "The Thick of It" ?

HashiAsLarry · 03/05/2017 10:56

a very Nicola Murray moment

woman12345 · 03/05/2017 11:05

^Free software to reveal how Facebook election posts are targeted
Digital campaign experts have created program to allow voters to expose how political messages arrive in Facebook feeds^

whotargets.me

It comes as both Conservatives and Labour plan extensive Facebook campaigns ahead of the 8 June poll. The Conservatives have rehired Craig Elder and Tom Edmonds, the digital consultants who worked on the 2015 election battle, in which the party spent £1.2m spent on digital campaigning, against Labour’s £160,000. This time, Labour is understood to be ready to spend around £1m.