Westminstenders: Throwing Boomerangs

[RedToothBrush]

British politics and media in a nutshell.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomerang_effect_(psychology)#Political_beliefs

No EU progress, no discussion. Just this. Keep everyone in line by bouncing boomerangs.

Disaster capitalism looms, they just have to get us to the edge of the cliff before the centre reforms. That's it.

If the legal roads to stop Brexit are closed as David Allen Green says, then how do you force the political flood gates to open, especially with both the far left and the far right using micro-aggression against the public to keep the centre ground weak?

Answers on a ballot paper on 3rd May.

Any Democrat or "normal" Republican POTUS would have pressured the UK govt that a narrow margin in an advisory referendum should not be acted on
Agreed, and perhaps particularly in regard to how this would affect the GFA, which successive Presidents were so influential in supporting.

It's easy for me to say, but am I the only one who wishes that some people in authority like Hospital Chief Executives would refuse to act as immigration officers for the Home Office? Yes, they risk substantial fines but like the Poll Tax debacle, a few were prepared not to pay, went to court and risked a prison sentence. A prominent court case would do nothing to enhance May and Rudd's reputations. Let the Home Office do its own dirty work.

Wow. That MV Celine with 8KM for lorries and trailors. The first Brexit dividend for Wales. Bypassing Holyhead.

Brexit is responsible. The EU is developing this 'Motorways of the Sea' programme. To get funding, I think the start and destination have to both be in the EU.

ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/maritime/motorways_sea_en

I don't know if the Ro/Ro is going to still going to go past London on it's route. Wouldn't it be ironic if it did. Wales' Leave vote taking from the periphery and not affecting London. Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke all voted Leave.

www.eurologport.eu/largest-roro-vessel-in-the-world-arrives-in-rotterdam/

Peregrina - I had a variation of that discussion with my dad (retired doctor) last week: that the managers and doctors at the Marsden would still treat Albert Thomson even though he was hadn't been confirmed as British. Even if they had to hide that they were doing so.

But where does that leave the values, morality and ethics of the UK: that "doing the right thing" has to be done surreptitiously?

We're getting ever closer to the "hiding the Jews" of the Nazi era

Absolutely prettybird but that is why someone needs to publicly make a stand. It's easy for me to say this, because I am not involved in any way with this but I can envisage a time when it might be necessary. But then I am the offspring of a wartime Quaker CO who was prepared to go to prison for his beliefs. (He didn't as it happened; his tribunal gave him an unconditional discharge, which I think annoyed him a bit - he wanted to be a bit of a martyr!)

Signing in, after a brief head in sand break hibernation.

Much love to all of you.

I've been thinking a lot about the stories we were swapping - about the 'bad old days' - while I've been away. I've come to the conclusion that it's been really, really thought-provoking for me. Really helpful. I think it is not just a useful corrective for all the 'it was so much nicer before the EU and all this modern nonsense' spiel but also an incredible reminder of the political struggles and victories that brought (positive) change.

That's a bit of an aside - but it's also to say that, however grim a particular political moment is, it's worth keeping going, pressing for better - change does come - but it rarely comes without people pressing for it.

In some ways it is heartening that this Windrush business has blown up. It does illustrate that there are plenty of decent non-racist people out there still. I see Theresa May has now promised compensation to the Windrush people. Let's see whether she makes good on this.

I've missed your posts japancat glad to see you back!

In some ways it is heartening that this Windrush business has blown up.

I partly agree Peregrina but we've seen so many stupidities and outrages ending up conveniently forgotten and buried, the cynic in me says this one ultimately will be too.

May did meat the Commonwealth leaders. After the EU met the Jamaican PM. She had been refusing to meet them and was eventually put under so much outside pressure she had no other option really. Except for that, I don't think she would have. Nothing wrong with the system, dontcha know.

May did meat. I need a strong coffee.

I'm more inclined to believe the Commonwealth leaders made meat out of May Caill

I agree with Cailleach, May only met them when she'd been shamed into it. As for the apology - IMO it was a classic non-apology of the "I'm sorry you're upset" variety, which she only made because she was caught out.

Labour doesn't have a squeaky clean record either, but I don't recall the personal nastiness from them.

" I'm sorry you're upset" apologies.

That's exactly right.The establishment has behaved appallingly. Ranging from go Home vans to EU citizens established here, prospective immigrants, Windrush invitees etc.

Yet Prince Charles is confirmed as the successor to Queen Elizabeth II as next Head of the Commonwealth. I really wish there'd been a different decision.

It would have been the perfect time to teach us a lesson, and to queer the commonwealth trade pitch.

Why didn't that happen? Do the commonwealth leaders distinguish between the Royal fam and the politicians? Is it simply fear of ditching Tradition? Is it a financial benefit we may not confer if Charles were replaced?

Please tell me the 'they need us more than we need them ' brigade has no substance regarding either the EU or the commonwealth.

Have we seen this no Irish need apply border positions?

www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/northern-ireland-border-brexit-jobs

Yup, Irish Westministenders were particularly outraged, but we were all surprised at the insensitivity
This govt definitely has a "cloth ear"

More cake & eat it

Protecting “geographical” products, e.g. Cornish pasties, from imitations:

https://edition.independent.co.uk/editions/uk.co.independent.issue.200418/data/8312361/index.html

“The government wants the EU’s “geographical indications” system to keep protecting British foods, such as Stilton and Cornish pasties, from imitation after Brexit

– but
has been unable to secure an agreement with Brussels on the issue because it is not committing to protecting EU products in return.”

A government spokesperson said the UK would like to have its existing products protected by the “EU GI schemes after we leave”
– but officials say whether Britain would protect EU products in Britain in return is still “subject to negotiation”

Senior civil servant JDD claimed on RNorth’s blog
http://www.eureferendum.com/blogview.aspx?blogno=86838

that Olly Robbins has tried to resign a few times recently, but can’t:

Apparently when he moved to the Cabinet Office, his civil service contract was changed to a fixed time contract with a huge final bonus - but penalties for ending early (like JDD’s)

Not sure if everyone saw Nick Timothy's little Twitter tantrum yesterday? What a shame he got caught out back by facts.

news.sky.com/story/former-may-aide-nick-timothy-quits-twitter-in-migration-row-11339755

He was caught lying about something important

news.sky.com/story/convention-of-consulting-parliament-on-military-action-now-redundant-11334402

in practice, it seems like this prime minister, who leads a minority government,
now has a greater degree of executive power over military matters than her predecessor, who had a majority.

Shaaaaame Couldn't have happened to a nicer person

If only we could get more people to resign properly and not just from Twitter when they get caught lying about important things.

"If I have one lesson to take away it is that referendums are boomerangs," he said.

uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-hollande/eu-door-now-shut-to-britain-for-good-hollande-says-telegraph-idUKKBN1HQ1UU?utm_source=applenews

Looks like we've solved the problem of not finding enough people to work as carers ... just go bust.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43850046

One of the biggest providers of UK home care is in financial difficulty.

Allied Healthcare, which employs 8,700 people to look after elderly and vulnerable patients, is set to file for protection from its creditors due to a "highly challenging environment".

(contd).

Did anyone not spot that "Allied Healthcare" is an anagram of "Cariilion" ?

www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/94560/may-warned-no-confidence-vote-if-she-backs-down-customs
May warned of no confidence vote if she backs down on customs union

Pro-Brexit Tory MPs have reportedly warned Theresa May she faces a possible vote of no confidence if she concedes to rebel MPs over a customs union with the EU.

Well this could get interesting considering the Lords has thrown the customs union back to the Commons...

Also, the irish border is not compatible with leaving the customs union and so far the EU have rejected all proposals the British government have come up with.

Always said, NI is the key issue.