Westministenders: Groundhog Day

[RedToothBrush]

Groundhog day is 2nd Feb.

Its also today. And yesterday. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before. And the day before.

We have all turned into Bill Murray.

That's Brexit in the UK.

The only progress seems to be linguistic gymnastics not policy.

No action has been implemented, we are still on words going nowhere.

Tick tock, tick tock.

Hope everything sorts itself out, Red .

When are we expecting the first leaks to emerge from the away day? It's not just inconceivable that they haven't tried to nail down a Brexit strategy until now, it's wholly incredulous, given the personalities and the jostling for power, that TM thinks one can be agreed on within the Cabinet at this late stage.

My autocorrect still tries "Gories" too

...'coz the Gory glory seekers will use his name in vain... (spot the quote ...)

If import phytosanitary controls are relaxed, it's not just imported food that can be damaging / dangerous:
NZ jobs at risk after imported cars with East Asian "stink-bugs"

The EU is most unlikely to risk relaxing any type of border import controls after Brexit, even if the WTO allow temporary transition measures

www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-43112370

I wonder how many Cabinet meetings until they agree policy …

Some cabinet ministers seem to think they are PM;
The PM is still acting like she's Home Secretary

Remembering that the withdrawal and transition arrangements need to be finalised by 1 October 2018, or there won't be time for approval by 38 national & regional Parliaments
and Brussels shuts down over summer

Maybe just time for May to frantically sign on the dotted line of whatever documents Barnier sticks in front of her
Taking back control ?
He has always looked in control

The Economist favours EEA/ EFTA plus a Customs Union

< Always has been my favoured Brexit = SM+CU >

https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21737271-britain-can-take-back-control-europe-without-cutting-all-ties-right-way-do-brexit
…
In one area, however, Britain would need a closer arrangement.

Norway is not part of a customs union with the EU, so vehicles crossing at the border with Sweden and Finland are subject to checks.

This would not suit Britain. Its borders are busier than Norway’s and its firms more integrated into European supply chains.
Worse, customs controls in Northern Ireland would jeopardise the peace process, and hence the security of both British and Irish citizens.

The government has ruled out a customs union with the EU, claiming it would preclude signing trade deals with third countries.
That, too, is wrong-headed.

The customs union applies only to goods; Britain would still be free to strike deals in services

Remembering that the withdrawal and transition arrangements need to be finalised by 1 October 2018, or there won't be time for approval by 38 national & regional Parliaments

Will any member states have to then arrange a referendum ?

DG That includes time for any whom need a referendum

who

It's the absolute latest date quoted by Barnier
Preferred would be September, as other countries might have non-Brexit issues to deal with too - the UK is not the centre of eberyone's universe

More suggestions that JC is gradually changing policy

Is Corbyn Moving ‘Crab-Like’ Toward a Second Brexit Referendum?
< NOOO ! Just propose your policy and fight for it in the HoC >

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-22/it-s-brexit-decision-time-for-u-k-ministers-at-may-s-away-day

Johnson facing new questions over use of FCO room by thinktank

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/22/johnson-foreign-secretary-facing-new-questions-over-use-fco-room-hard-brexit-thinktank
Foreign secretary was involved in decision not to charge hard Brexit group for use of facilities

White powder is dud, in racist letter to Harry & Meghan

Still pretty sick, re the only non-white to marry a UK royal.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/22/white-powder-letter-prince-harry-meghan-markle-anthrax-scare

a second referendum may become a political possibility if it's crystal clear that the UK simply cannot proceed down any path without either violating an international treaty in the GFA, or just not delivering a "Brexit" that satisfies enough people. (Which, with delicious irony is helped by the behaviour of JRM et al).

It's impossible to overstate the importance of the GFA. Not only in it's own right, but as a symbol to other disputed territories and countries. If the UK can cynically rip it up for it's own benefit at the expense of the other party it will be much harder to sell negotiated settlements in future. Brexiteers won't know or care, but after the GFA was signed, the Irish peace process was held up as an inspiration around the world.

On a personal level, living in London in the 70s and 80s, I never want those days back.

So much for the sovereignty of parliament. Not allowed a vote in case they vote the wrong way. Now where have I heard that before?

So much for the sovereignty of parliament. Not allowed a vote in case they vote the wrong way.

In which case, it ain't law.....

Ah, but maybe the govt can go all Henry VIII for some measures …
or just let the time run out and default to hard Brexit

Ah, but maybe the govt can go all Henry VIII for some measures

who's up for civil disobedience, if not war ? (Goes off to rewatch "Gandhi")

@IanDunt
Leavers and Remainers have pretty much stuck with their original vote, but the people who didn't vote in 2016 are breaking hard for Remain www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2018/02/22/how-opinion-on-brexit-has-moved-since-the-referendu/ …

@5WrightStuff
"This whole thing about how Brexit is good for trade is obviously complete nonsense," says Tory MP Ed Vaizey.

We wonder what his boss will make of that?

Leavers and Remainers have pretty much stuck with their original vote, but the people who didn't vote in 2016 are breaking hard for Remain

I can believe that from personal experience.

@johnghughes3
A GP has received letter from Home Office asking them to deliver notice of deportation to patient as patient has MH issues and GP is " best places. Totally unacceptable ethically and waste of scarce GP time. Did Home Office get GP details from NHSE? @sarahwollaston @TheBMA

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/21/ive-been-here-for-50-years-the-scandal-of-the-former-commonwealth-citizens-threatened-with-deportation

^These 'commonwealth' citizens being sacked, made homeless and deported after 50 years in england, are just a little older than my 'commonwealth' school friends.

Getting quite Anne Frank, isn't it.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/21/home-office-contractors-cuffed-detained-migrants-inside-coach-on-fire

^As bus carrying migrants caught fire, their safe escape was delayed by being handcuffed. One was injured. The coach blew up 40 feet from them. One man lost everything; his education certificates, passport, birth certificate.

These 'commonwealth' citizens being sacked, made homeless and deported after 50 years in england, are just a little older than my 'commonwealth' school friends.

And the Brexshit Arms people tell us they are more global than us. They need to start protesting to the Home Office PDQ. This behaviour is a complete stain on our country.

I don't think Ed Vaizey will be worried. He also said there was no discipline in the party and everyone just did what they wanted.

I watched a programme once on the deportation of immigrants. One guy had kidney failure and his nurse was giving him enough meds to keep him going till he got home. She told him to see his doctor straight away on arrival to restart his treatment and he just looked at her and said there is no treatment where I'm going. It really upset me cause my dad died of kidney failure. He was only young.

for red.

These 'commonwealth' citizens being sacked, made homeless and deported after 50 years in england, are just a little older than my 'commonwealth' school friends.

And I'm being told daily my DF is "mad" to be worried about being deported. All he wants is to be buried next to my DM who (thankfully) passed last year.

The immigrant was only young. Not my dad. Although my dad was only in his fifties.