Westministenders: The Art of the Deal

[RedToothBrush]

Well Trump seems to have put his foot in it.

Not that this should come as a surprise. For all the talk of closer ties with the US that was never going to happen. All that was need was for Trump to over step once too many.

By chance (?) Barnier also raised questions about our commitment to working with the EU on security.

Its almost as if we are being asked to choose whom we look to for security.

Meanwhile it sounds like the divorce bill is sorted - though this may not be as settled as that, if it comes with conditions. The deal might also be backtracked on, seeing as that appears to be the done thing presently.

Talks on Ireland are stalemated with Ireland threating to veto. No sign of a breakthrough here yet.

Talks on EU citz rights are reportedly going backwards (again) rather than going forward.

All of this is theatre for a British audience though, with the UK agreeing to everything. Because they gave again their cards when a50 was triggered.

The crunch is coming on whether we move to stage two before Christmas. We have no time to lose.

DT headlines:
Alleged Terror Plot 'To Kill Theresa May' Foiled By Police And MI5 - Reports

ExclusiveJohnson and Gove lead Cabinet revolt against PM over fears she is forcing a soft Brexit

Today's DT front cover would make an interesting comparative media/semiotics case study.

Campbell + Patterson

Think this is not ending soon, Hester but looking forward to it.

woman I agree, it's not ending soon. But we don't give up!

I just meant that something decisive may happen by the time of Trump's visit (rumoured to be 26-7 Feb).
Either a slightly good thing, or very bad.
MPs must start working across party lines. I believe it's the only hope.

So, Owen P said only a madman would want to leave the single market. Well, apparently we're in the era of the mad men.

The Daily Mail's headline: Plastic The Tide Turns.

Now I hadn't noticed that they were great environmental champions before. I do notice the absence of discussion of failing EU talks, when we all knew that the Irish border would be one of the thorny issues.

The announcement about the terror plot against May seems to have come at a suspiciously remarkably convenient time for her given that there are apparently a number of such plots which are foiled through good police work and without fanfare

David Davis being questioned by the Committee for Exiting the EU on the impact assessments at 9.15 am today.

www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/887635ea-6bb5-4b0a-8bf7-3875507a319b

But we don't give up Nah
suspiciously remarkably convenient time for her yet again!
I'm sure nothing will happen to stop the massive Remain* protests on Monday December 11th from 10am till late outside HOC.

Loved the take on the 'Impact Assessments' not assessing the impact. I've been there with essay deadlines, too.

In the interests of balance, dh says that Kevin Maguire was on the radio suggesting that the release of the information about terrorist plot against May may not have been her PR but that of the security forces, who feel under attack after yesterday's Manchester revelations.

@JolyonMaugham
We expect to issue proceedings to enable proper scrutiny of the actual documents - rather than DExEU's expedient syntheses - tomorrow.( (today)

prettybird that Manchester attack widower was heartbreaking on Channel 4 news.

Grenfell is still struggling.
Traumatised, and bereaved survivors with no homes are going to meetings where councillors are falling asleep.

Flags and orange order.

lisa o'carroll‏
@lisaocarroll
David Davis reveals government has not done any formal impact assessment of Brexit on any sector in the UK. Brexit select committee

Jim Pickard‏
@PickardJE
David Davis tells DEXEU committee he will at some stage commission some new studies to quantify the effect of different negotiating outcomes on various industries eg manufacturing and agriculture.

Jessica Simor QC‏
@JMPSimor
I feel physically sick. Resign and revoke Article 50. Vote of no confidence NOW.

Schona Jolly QC‏
@WomaninHavana

Benn: So the govt has not undertaken any impact assessments on individual sectors of leaving the EU?

Davis: No.

Davis is deep into fudge territory here. But no responsible government can fudge something of this magnitude. It’s only our whole future.

Benn to Davis: Are you actually telling us govt hasn’t/hadn’t done any impact assessments when you hope at Dec Council meeting to open door to phase 2 negotiations?

Davis claims usefulness of detailed impact assessment was near zero & resources couldn’t be stretched sensibly.

Benn nails him on this, rightfully, on what he told Foreign Affairs cttee in Sept 2016.

Davis: Do not conclude because you use the word “impact” you have written an impact assessment.

Deeply unedifying to watch this. Highest echelons of British govt playing with words to justify the unjustifiable.

Can watch it live here:

www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/887635ea-6bb5-4b0a-8bf7-3875507a319b

'Unedifying'
thanks pain
"A quantitative assessment is not an economic forecast" DD
DD is patronising and rude to the excellent Seema Malhotra

ReformCampaign #FBPE‏ @reform_campaign
Davis says he has contingency planning for no deal, but has not done any impact assessments.
His manner patronising, blustering, talking over questioner, bordering on the offensive, while sucking a sweet.

Dates and Fibs.

fucking hell

I feel nauseous too

And oddly like I need a gin and tonic

Could this be the end of Brexit, I wonder....

David Davis reveals government has not done any formal impact assessment of Brexit on any sector in the UK. Brexit select committee

I do believe this thread called it yonks ago. It's been pretty clear that there were no impact assessments for ages.

So the government is holding negotiations where it has no idea of the actual impact of any decisions at are made. FFS! We used to have write impact assessments is we changed the type of paper in the blooming photocopiers but apparently we can change the entire governance of the country without bothering.

JRM trying to say David Davis has been generous giving 800 pages to the committee

Great question from Grant: Damaging the national interest. Grant pulls DD up on moaning that he is late and needs to leave meeting.

Wish that the great Joanna Cherry had got a question. 2 women allowed to speak briefly in this one.

Davis has moaned all the way through about not having time for this meeting. He's munching on sweets so we can't even hear him. MCP

ReformCampaign #FBPE‏ @reform_campaign
Davis says government has done no quantitive assessment of economic impact of leaving the customs union.

A possible way to channel any anger or frustration you might be feeling

Jo Maugham QC‏
@JolyonMaugham
Are you reading this stuff and thinking Davis is not telling the truth? In the @GoodLawProject and @MollyMEP judicial review someone from DExEU and HMT will have to swear a witness statement. Lie in a witness statement and you go to prison.

What this tells you - as with my successful judicial review of the Electoral Commission - is that the law is a vital tool for holding Government to account. Please fund our latest judicial review here:

www.crowdjustice.com/case/strengthening/

I was about to say that this is un-fucking-believable... but it's not actually, is it?