Westminstenders: The Brexit Apprentice

[RedToothBrush]

Theresa May is increasing looking like she is running an episode of the Apprentice with two teams trying to compete in their plan for Brexit. Complete with the obligatory reprehensible contestants.

On one side we have Team Creationists intent on hard Brexit and on the other we have Team Sensibles desperate to get a softer deal.
May herself has been held hostage by seasoned expert negotiators the DUP. Once No 10 has reported the deal was done, only for the DUP to say it wasn’t. Then it said, it would be settled today. But the DUP disagreed and said ‘the weekend’. Now its 'next week'.

Meanwhile the Queen has been messed about with a scapegoat over when her Queen’s Speech will be. It’s likely to be a week on Monday.
Meanwhile the Brexit department is also in chaos.

The Number two in the department was sacked and replaced by a Remainer, and the number three quit amongst reports that he no longer thought Brexit was achievable and that there was no way that the Great Repeal Act could pass through the Lords. He has been replaced by the Head of the infamous Arch-Brexit Whatsapp group.

Oh and Gove got hired. Nuff said on that one.

After some slight back tracking from David Davis, Hard Brexit is still on in all its glory. Negotiations are going ahead next week. Well that’s what we are saying. The EU, on the other hand, don’t won’t to go ahead until we have an officially sworn in government. Which seems pretty fair enough.

Tune in to find out which Team wins this week’ The Brexit Apprentice

The Labour reshuffle has started. Owen Smith announced as Northern Ireland Secretary. Not usually an especially prominent position but could be much more so with a Tory/DUP deal in place.

Thanks for the new thread. I'm reading avidly.

I've been out but listening to the news about the Kensington fire tragedy on the radio.

Where is Maybot? Does her software not have a compassion mode? She was quick enough in front of the cameras after Manchester and London Bridge.

How long can she delay the state opening of parliament? She's delayed the DUP announcement because of the tragedy but waiting til next week seems to be pushing it. From what I've heard it's not possible to ask the Minister to make a statement to the House because MPs haven't been sworn in. So there is no accountability. Corbyn is trying to get a statement and question session in a 'grand committee' but it's a workaround. I also read/heard somewhere that the Tories are intending to govern but not legislate. It's starting to seem like a coup.

How can they govern without any legislation? Withdrawing from the EU will involve lots of complex legislation. There is a huge amount that needs to be passed even if you leave aside budgets etc. They've lost the plot entirely if they seriously consider that to be an option.

Just reading the Hong Kong coverage of the fire, there is incredulity about the lack of sprinkler systems in the building. We look more and more like a Banana Republic overseas......

Exactly, Dumbledore. They've lost the plot or will cling to power regardless of the impact on the country. And what will stop them? Will HMQ need to stage an intervention?

It was a vacant post because Dave Anderson (previous holder) wasn't standing as MP. Seems a good appointment though - prominent Labour MP in a politically hot area.

They've lost the plot or will cling to power regardless of the impact on the country. And what will stop them? Will HMQ need to stage an intervention?

They caused this mess, so I want to see them be around to clear it up. The more mess they get into the better, and if they destroy the party for a generation I will shed few tears.

Owen Smith, the accidental sexist, for the sensitive NI post?

One has to hope he doesn't try his 'banter' on Michelle O'Neill, or NI in general.

Guardian Live reports:
"the policing and fire minister, Nick Hurd, refused to be drawn on reports that ministers had been warned that building regulations were in urgent need of updating."

Ninon I'm not saying they should have to put up with it, but I dare say the NI female politicians have and continue to put up with a lot worse than Owen Smith.

Nice short summary of Corbyn's cabinet appointments from Buzzfeed

www.buzzfeed.com/jimwaterson/jeremy-corbyn-has-appointed-leadership-rival-owen-smith-to?utm_term=.grxBBXb0w6#.ykjgg1lER7

Placemarking

May wanted to be seen in public after terrorist attacks because there is an external enemy responsible.

She is hiding, as we now know she does when there is a political problem:

The responsibility for this fire is potentially embarrassing for her, her party and their policies of cutting essential services and blocking regulations.
At a time when her standing is down the toilet anyway.

there is incredulity about the lack of sprinkler systems in the building
Absolutely incredible, and no fire alarms, but instructions to stay in their flats.
Moslems on Ramadan were the first there to help. Lots of faith and non faith groups have been helping, but no co ordination and still not a word from the government.
"This would not happen in Chelsea" says a survivor of the fire.
But there seems to be no co ordination at all. The survivors seem to be being looked after by volunteers.

www.buzzfeed.com/janebradley/mi6-may-be-ordered-to-turn-over-intelligence-linking?utm_term=.jbq0AZlwg#.osxy52XRw
MI6 May Be Ordered To Turn Over Intelligence Linking Financier's Death To Russia
In the wake of a BuzzFeed News investigation, a judge is considering forcing MI6 to hand over secret files containing explosive intelligence that the Kremlin ordered the assassination of a Russian whistleblower on British soil.

Jason Leopold‏ @JasonLeopold
BBC has independently verified @BuzzFeedNews’s main revelations related to likely Putin directed hit on Perepilichiny.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-40277057
Alexander Perepilichnyy inquest: Coroner 'under media pressure'

(Times paywall) Residents’ safety warnings ‘fell on deaf ears’

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/residents-predicted-catastrophe-but-warnings-fell-on-deaf-ears-hxgccksx0

< Before the fire they posted >

“It is a truly terrifying thought but the Grenfell Action Group firmly believe that only a catastrophic event will expose the ineptitude and incompetence of our landlord, the KCTMO, and bring an end to the dangerous living conditions and neglect of health and safety legislation that they inflict upon their tenants and leaseholders.

“The Grenfell Action Group believe that the KCTMO narrowly averted a major fire disaster at Grenfell Tower in 2013 when residents experienced a period of terrifying power surges that were subsequently found to have been caused by faulty wiring.”

Emma Dent Coad, Kensington’s new Labour MP, who is a local councillor and a member of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, said she had raised concerns with the authority about fire safety at tower blocks in the area.

“There have been a lot of concerns over the past few years on various fire issues,” Ms Dent Coad told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

“In my ward, we have three tower blocks and all of them have had fires recently.

“The biggest concern is getting old people out because we have an ageing population and a lot of them live in tower blocks and it is a huge concern trying to get old people out of tower blocks who may not be very mobile.”

Jim Fitzpatrick, the Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, who is chairman of the all-party parliamentary fire safety and rescue group
said the government had resisted calls for sprinkler systems in high-rise blocks after the fatal Lakanal House fire in Southwark in 2009, when six people died.

Mr Fitzpatrick, a firefighter for 20 years, told LBC radio station:
“We’ve been pressing for fire sprinkler systems in buildings where we think it’s appropriate, certainly over a height level and
in places where there is vulnerability, care homes and in schools and
government has been resisting that for some time.”

After the fire, the Grenfell Action Group posted:
“All our warnings fell on deaf ears and we predicted that a catastrophe like this was inevitable and just a matter of time.”

I dare say the NI female politicians have and continue to put up with a lot worse than Owen Smith

No doubt they do, but it won't make its way into national newspapers the way Smith's gaffes do.

She has finally issued a two sentence personal statement. Contrast that with the personal appearance outside No 10 delivering a long statement campaign speech I am not one to use sexist rhetoric but if anyone ever inhabited the role of total bitch, it is May. I am very cross, please someone organise a march.....

Woman Yes but lots of volunteers and through the day they were telling us to take donations to new sites as old ones filled up but by the time they told you those were overwhelmed too. Those "citizens of nowhere" have hearts and a sense of community, unlike May.

.

I just wouldn't put someone with a tendency to foot in mouth disease on a sensitive post, full stop.

Sorry I was referring to her long speech after the London Bridge attack. Like I say I'm very cross....

May wanted to be seen in public after terrorist attacks because there is an external enemy responsible.

What's May's agenda? Its attacking human rights and control of the internet.

How does today's events fit in with her agenda?

Indeed it fits perfectly with Labour's.

May manipulates terrorist attacks to fit her politics. How can she possibly do that with this? This isn't a political opportunity for her. Its a political liability, especially given the history of fires in tower blocks and inquiries about them.

Sad about Tim. Definitely could do with more Northern and not posh people in politics.
His actual resignation is a lot more than the cherry picked quotes. It's sad that someone who's defended gay rights for years is being pasted for being Christian, where others who have voted against them in their Christianity aren't treated the same.

Fair point Ninon. You're right, it's going to be tense/problematic enough as it is.

considering forcing MI6 to hand over secret files containing explosive intelligence that the Kremlin ordered the assassination of a Russian whistleblower on British soil.
interesting.
Going a bit Pete Tong for Putin at the moment too.