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.

The Merck spokesperson (I think) on the Today programme this morning was very clear about prospective links with the NHS, confirming (to me) fears of a takeover of the NHS by big American pharma.

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak
Irish Foreign Minister v firm on border this morning - “We don’t need to use a veto because we have complete solidarity on this issue with 26 other EU countries'

I can imagine the debate, and how it would be framed. But surely a Royal Wedding - with the eyes of the world upon it - is a tempting stage for political expression ? Perhaps all the Remainers on the route turn their backs ? In a Mexican wave, for maximum visual effect ? No chants, no banners.

I bet there's already some sort of Ministerial edict setting out powers for the security services to vet every single person within 100 miles of the route.

Alternatively, in the age of austerity, maybe Harry and Meghan (checks, yes it is spelled with an "h") will decide that a small private wedding is more appropriate far from the madding crowd.

Looks like LH has been at the twat juice again .

Robert Peston
@Peston
MPs won’t get unedited studies of Brexit’s impact on economy www.facebook.com/pestonitv/posts/1954102884914447

I sit next to a telly at work watching BBC news all day. I can confirm that none of the important political and economic issues were mentioned today (or last week for that matter). However the constant engagement news really made me resent the Royals.

Bread and circuses

This might be the only silver lining got to take the simple pleasures where you can find them

Krishnan Guru-Murthy
@krishgm
Nice to have some good news. Possible Obama (Harry’s pal) will be at the wedding and Trump (who Meghan called misogynist) won’t be invited. And maybe one day some mixed-race kids in the Royal family.

So much for the sacredness of the British parliament. The Brexiteers and gov't have treated it with contempt.

Prediction from MrsLH that Royal wedding may not be held in the UK ...

Prediction from MrsLH that Royal wedding may not be held in the UK ...
Possible, especially since it's likely to be a Catholic wedding, even though the rules of Succession have changed and Harry can now marry a Catholic without giving up his place in the line of succession.

Meanwhile, the BBC fights back, highbrows ...

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2017/49/invasion

In this three-part series for BBC Four, intrepid historian Dr Sam Willis reveals a remarkable story of invasion in Britain that spans thousands of years.

From the time that continuous settlement began in Britain over 10,000 years ago, to Iron Age hillforts and Viking ships, Sam Willis explores the many invasions of Britain. He unearths hidden stories to build a vivid picture of both successful and unsuccessful invasions and examines how they have shaped our psyche - including fear of invasion.

Some invasions are bloody, some bloodless. Some were by invitation, some absurd and doomed. From Barbary pirates and brutal border raids to the air attacks of the 20th century, these invasions have shaped modern Britain and made us the people we are today.

In this first programme Sam fells a tree with a flint axe in Kent, gets to grips with the technology of Viking boats and rides an Iron Age chariot. He also searches for clues of invasion at Silbury Hill and tracks down evidence of the Beaker people who brought ceramics, metalwork and beakers to Britain.

And maybe one day some mixed-race kids in the Royal family.
Well it was once on the cards.

MPs won’t get unedited studies of Brexit’s impact on economy
Who is leaning on whom and with what t?
This is now a legislature and silent press as hostages

“We don’t need to use a veto because we have complete solidarity on this issue with 26 other EU countries'
This, I like.

But some one has terrified the press and the politicians.

Deafening silence about impact reports.

Pathetic.

Even in over armed America, politicians, citizens and media are stepping up to the plate.

JC is a disgrace.

Don't forget Meghan is also a divorcee... Expect a small civil ceremony followed by a church blessing a la Charles and Camilla

So not a Catholic wedding then, unless she can persuade the Church to annul her previous marriage.

Hoey with the DUP/ ku klux klan.
Our present government/ ruling council.

I wonder if a sparkly wedding will keep them safe from the tax rates and socialist republicanism coming down the populist tracks courtesy of the next government?

Elizabeth is probably the last monarch.

I hope it keeps fine for them
But really...I can barely contain my indifference

Dh thinks the timing will be such that the wedding will take place, followed quickly by a pregnancy - just in time for a Brexit baby

And maybe one day some mixed-race kids in the Royal family.

Offensive and ignorant. Not often you see those two working as a team.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06ybg84

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined on stage by comedian Shappi Khorsandi, science broadcaster Adam Rutherford and evolutionary geneticist Mark Thomas. They look at the thorny issue of race, and whether there is a scientific definition for the concept of race. Do our genes reveal racial differences, and if so do they tell us anything about our evolutionary history? They also look at the results of their own personal DNA tests...so which panellist is a little bit neanderthal and which one has a genetic history firmly rooted in the North!

Even "species" is starting to raise some questions ...

(Spoiler alert ... "race" has no place in science)

Elizabeth is probably the last monarch.

Once ministers don't need the Queen, it makes sense.

Laura Kuenssberg
@bbclaurak

1. DEXEEU committee confirms it has received the documents of what govt calls 'sectoral analyses', others calling 'impact assessments' - they'll decide what to do with them tmrw morning

1. Hear each one made up of 3 sections: description of sector, EU rules as things stand, then 'sector views'

1. Delay in publication in part what one source suggests was 'embarrassingly thin' original reports on some areas

1. But sounds like been reports scraped of anything that isn't already in public domain - let's see if + when they are published, over to the Committee now as to whether they let them out of the safe!

4. But sounds like been reports scraped of anything that isn't already in public domain - let's see if + when they are published, over to the Committee now as to whether they let them out of the safe

Anyone seen "In The Loop".

Am awaiting mention of "Ice Man" and "Debussey"

PWIP PIP ... is this a report on bird calls ?

this is my favourite response so far

Matt Greaves
@MJGreaves

Shred / Redact / Release - the Whitehall equivalent of Snog / Marry / Avoid

You know, you have to wonder how sincere the DUP are :

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-42139148