Westministenders: Money, money, money

[RedToothBrush]

The big developments are that the government have signalled they are prepared to pay more and to involve the ECJ when it comes to citizens rights on condition that we move to talk of trade. But no apparent progress on NI. Which is significant with Ireland threatening to veto.

The EU has not changed its stance at all. Since Day 1.

There is always a worrying omission and lack of commitment to retain the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The bonfire begins.

Talk is of Green still going in a reshuffle, possibly with Gove replacing him as Deputy PM.

Coalition talks in Germany have broken down, and the British have got excited about it, whilst the German response have largely been a slight shrug.

Its been a much quieter week, despite the budget. Thank goodness. There are lots of outstanding issues that are lurking in the background like the Green one though.

The main message coming from the budget, has not been any new policy, but the dreadful economic forecast for the next few years.

I hear there's a bloke called Mugabe, who needs a new job …

Authoritarian, ruthless, no mercy to enemies
Tory Ultras would love him (and they overlooked Patel's colour easily enough)

This whole I would vote differently with hindsight is so ridiculous. It would be understandable if there was a brilliant plan, TM had won a landslide majority and the economy was on the up. Otherwise it's like saying I used to support Chelsea but now I support Portreath because they can deffo be top of the premier league if we all just believe enough.

It just underlines why people don't trust politicians. Although maybe he is now a true believer. Perhaps he's realised how much easier it will be to sell off the NHS when the country's falling apart. Noone will have the time, energy or money to protest when we're all on subsistence wages.

Although they would do well not to underestimate the public. It didn't stop the Yarrow marchers after all.

Where are these offices with less than 8 people?

I've worked in an office with five of us, and one with four people. Small publishing company and a charity.

This whole I would vote differently with hindsight is so ridiculous.

...mainly because there's nothing happening that wasn't predicted. So the only "hindsight" is to admit you were overcome by your own prejudices.

The facts haven't changed.

The facts have changed:

Hunt now wants to stand for the leadership

That's the most important fact for him

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-hunt-is-the-most-disliked-frontline-british-politician-of-any-party-a-new-poll-shows-a6874846.html

That article is Feb 2016 ...

Indeed it is but I had retained the fact in my mind. His Wikipedia page is also not very encouraging.

Not sure if this was posted... but I quite like it.

The winner of the Bishops Frome by-election is a doctor (not sure what sort!) She says:

'In my professional life I have been an advocate for the voiceless. I would love to put my skills to good use speaking up for the people Bishop's Frome and Cradley as their local councillor.' Dr Chowns, who is married with two teenage sons, has worked in education and charities, including senior roles with Christian Aid and Voluntary Service Overseas. Locally, she has been a primary school governor, a volunteer with HomeStart and ECHO Herefordshire and treasurer of a housing association.

This, I believe, is what we need in politics: more real people like this, not career politicians.

www.herefordtimes.com/news/15610594.Greens_name_by_election_candidate_for_Bishop___s_Frome_and_Cradley/

I hear that a certain journalist is no longer employed at the DM.

This, I believe, is what we need in politics: more real people like this, not career politicians.

My brother had an interesting discussion with a US senator, who pointed out the founding fathers tried their best to prevent people "going into politics", which said senator was in favour of (and indeed only stood once).

Given that it's the civil service that actually administer government, then I could easily be persuaded that all terms for public office should be restricted. Maybe to two elections ?

However, the Romans never managed to solve that problem either. And they had crosses and nails.

Seems its no deal after all.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42129759

There can be no final decisions on the future of the Irish border until the UK and the EU have reached a trade agreement, Liam Fox has said.

(contd)

The only one positive thing in that BBC report is John McDonnell saying "Labour would not take continued membership of the single market and the customs union off the table."

Is Liam Fox

a) thick as mince
b) deluded
c) both
d) being deliberately provocative?

C I think thus rendering D impossible.
Who is the DM journalist woman?

My dad - for whom Fox worked for a while when he was a medic - says he is all of the above that is the polite version of his opinion of him

Essentially we will use your citizens and our citizens as bargaining chips. Oh and fuck the gfa if you don't give us what we want.

I don't blame ROI for wanting the border to be sorted first. Assuming it'll all be fine as long as there's a trade deal only works if both parties know what they want. And as it is, it looks very much like the UK's not knowing means a hard border at the last second. ROI need to be able to plan too. They don't need the UK's turds flung onto their doorstep.

EmilyAlice the one whose name we choose not to speak.
Not a very empathic or thoughtful person, does that help?

I think you meant to say disgraced former defence minister Liam fox?

Um no woman. 🤔
Would probably help if I knew any DM journalists in the first place.
Not the one who married a toad who didn't turn into a prince?

His full title, please MrsR:

disgraced former defence minister and Werrity-sniffer Liam Fox

Katie Hopkins emily tbh I'm blessedly ignorant of her too, but I understand that she and the DM have decided to part, when her contract ends.

mrsr and BigChoc, sorry, yes, of course, that's what I meant.