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Brexit

Westministenders: Amber Alert

977 replies

RedToothBrush · 29/04/2018 19:25

The coming week is a busy one.

First on the menu is the fate of Amber Rudd, who after her long awaited fifth apology and denial that she saw a memo with targets on (and Brandon Lewis took the responsibility for her) ANOTHER leak has come out of a letter from her to the PM, talking about, you've guessed it Home Office targets.

She is to give a speech to the HoC on Monday. After avoiding the chop/resignation on Friday and receiving the PM's kiss of death with a "The Home Secretary has my full confidence" statement, rumours are most definitely not going away about her resignation.

If this happens, she is almost certain to go to the Naughty Corner to add to May's woes with the other rebels. This is not the week that May will appreciate it.

Watch out for Sajid Javid making more unsubtle hints that he wants the job and how it will be great PR for the party.

The EU withdrawal Bill is in the HoL again tomorrow. Last week it suffered numerous government defeats relating to the Customs Union and the limiting of Henry VIII powers. With the LDs and Labour control most of the house and together with cross benchers and the (to date no less than 17) Conservative Rebels, expect more defeats and amendments to be sent back to the Commons.

Today there is an amendment tabled by Viscount Hailsham (ex-MP Douglas Hogg) with Labour and Lib Dem support. It is being touted as a 'Lords Veto' to block Brexit by some, but is about making sure the government is held to account and does not overstep its powers by not consulting with parliament over final terms. It would in effect strengthen the power of the House of Commons (rather than the Lords) to influence the Withdrawal Bill.

So its quite a big and significant one.

If this wasn't enough, there is a key crucial vote over the Customs Union. Its been touted as Schrodinger's confidence vote. Its not the final vote on the matter (that's later in May) nor is a true confidence vote due to the Fixed Parliament Act, but at the same time it is a real test of May's commitment to leaving the Custom's Union and a real test of the resolve of the rebels. Last week several Conservatives who previously had not rebelled were dropping large hints they would, plus there is the fate of Rudd, who if she wants a future as an MP will find it difficult not to rebel due to her constituency being hugely remain and only having a majority of 300.

If May fails to follow through and bows to pressure from the rebels, Johnson and Davis have threatened to resign and there is some suggestion that letters will go to the 1922 Committee's Graham Brady.

May also has been put under significant pressure by Brexiteers to sack civil servant Ollie Robbins from the Cabinet Office (who has effectively taken over Brexit negotiations from Davis) because he's too Remainy got his hands tied with no where to go because reality.

Other things on the cards:
Tuesday: The Sanctions and Money Laundering Bill is back in the Commons. It might be worth a look at what goes on there (and who takes part).
Wednesday: Labour's Opposition Bill is about Windrush. Expect it to be last minute campaigning for the local elections every bit as much as about the scandal.
The Withdrawal Bill is in the Lords again.
Thursday: We get to listen to David Davis (if he hasn't resigned) making excuses in the HoC whilst in the Lords there is a debate on 'Brexit: Sanctions Policy' so another chance for them to point out great big wacking holes in government Brexit Policy.

Thursday is also the day of the Local Elections, so although Parliament adjourns on Thursday, we have a full day of spin on how Labour 'won' and are going plant magic money trees everywhere (to replace the ones they cut down in Sheffield no doubt) or how the campaign for bins now means that the Tories now have a 'mandate to leave the customs union'. Joy.

Also on the radar are sexual misconduct allegations against Labour's John Woodcock (the much hated by the left John Woodcock) and Labour and the expulsion of Marc Wadworth in the midst of the anti-Semitism row and threats the grass roots will revolt over it. Tuesday is also MayDay (a chequered day in Labour's history) and a mass resignation from the Labour Party by women is planned.

And I'm definitely not betting against there being a likely to be another scandal that rears its head because that's just British Politics at the moment.

But GOOD NEWS.

Eurovision starts next week!
(Israel have to be my fav - and are favs to win - but I do like our entry. Though this year looks to be a good year and our unashamed goodbye to the EU probably will be lost amongst them unless she pulls a blinder).

OP posts:
Thread gallery
51
Calyx · 05/05/2018 23:01

I was there prettybird. It was a lovely atmosphere and I guess between 40 and 80 thousand marched (nearer 40,000 imo). Loved it. Hope it's the last we need. My favourite was the unicorn Smile

Westministenders: Amber Alert
BigChocFrenzy · 05/05/2018 23:19

HoL: Labour peers are being whipped to abstain on the SM vote Confused
Corbyn showing yet again that he is dim and / or frit and / or has a very strange agenda

The Opposition could defeat the govt on a key policy, that would protect jobs & living standards by preventing a hard Brexit
But Corbyn is chickening out again

Indie also reports on the HoC vote:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-rebel-tories-single-market-vote-theresa-may-labour-backing-a8336971.html?amp&twitterr_impression=true

Conservatives have told The Independent there would be enough of their party’s MPs to lock in full single market access after Brexit, as long as Labour also backs it.

BigChocFrenzy · 05/05/2018 23:21

Unicorn is ace Grin

Motheroffourdragons · 05/05/2018 23:22

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on behalf of the poster.

BigChocFrenzy · 05/05/2018 23:26

Decent write-up in the Guardian, but not front page

www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/may/05/thousands-scottish-independence-supporters-march-through-glasgow

mathanxiety · 06/05/2018 00:26

That's a bit worrying about California though because it means Trump's protectionist policies haven't started to slow things down, at least in California. ?So it's a like a home goal almost an argument for being more Trump like?

Not really, Lonely.

CA's industries are not among those greatly affected by Trump's protectionism. Agriculture didn't increase the bottom line in California, so it may be that this sector was affected.

Icantreachthepretzels · 06/05/2018 00:33

Conservatives have told The Independent there would be enough of their party’s MPs to lock in full single market access after Brexit, as long as Labour also backs it.

If Brexit goes badly (incredibly likely) then that would be enough to destroy the conservative party for a generation - if not forever... except - Jeremy Corbyn seems determined that the party responsible for this utter disgrace of an omnishambles will be able to lay all the blame for failure and economic disaster at the labour party's, and specifically his, door - thus avoiding the blame themselves and remaining in power for a generation - if not forever.

Why?

I wanted to like him, I really did. But he is an incompetent and a dangerous ideologue and he has to go.

mathanxiety · 06/05/2018 00:56

BigChoc
Many Brits don't realise that Argentina was one of the richest countries in the world in the early 20th century but then populism caused a few bad decisions that caused the economy to slide … faster and faster … and eventually over the cliff

My paternal grandmother was born on the family estancia there in the late 1900s. They were very well off. She and some sisters were sent back to Ireland and given an education typical of ladies of leisure of the day. She never returned to S America - married and had a family, settled in Ireland with my grandfather once his peregrinations with the Indian Army were over, and never had the chance. But she kept up with events in Argentina by means of letters from her siblings who had remained there, and one of my uncles worked there after WW2 so he had plenty to report too. Granny's family hated the Perons and also their successors.

The right wing dictatorships that followed the Perons were encouraged by the CIA, which turned a blind eye to the presence of many Nazi fugitives in many of Argentina's state organs, especially the security apparatus and the armed forces, and to the domestic terror that was a feature of the Dirty War (which was orchestrated by Operation Condor, conceived by the CIA).

The junta of the time collapsed in the wake of the Falklands War defeat. It was an unintended consequence of the UK's declaration of war, but one the US had worried about.

mathanxiety · 06/05/2018 01:26

Hasenstein
I noticed there's a section which requires non-Brits to declare not only their parents' names, date & place of birth, date of marriage, but also their grandparents'! DW never knew any of her grandparents, one parent is dead and the other has dementia, so I was a bit worried about how we were going to be able to obtain this (very) historic information (not easy in Germany and Poland/Russia with so many records destroyed in the war). It was therefore a great relief when the lady at the NCS said this wasn't necessary any longer and she had no idea why they keep it on the form.

I don't want to jinx anything, but I hope you got her name and any ID number she has.

I would do my utmost to try to find out where your DW's grandparents were born and whether there is still documentation of their existence.

OlennasWimple · 06/05/2018 02:06

Venezuala is another rich country being run into the ground Sad

Cailleach1 · 06/05/2018 05:47

Interesting changes in West Tyrone results from 2017. Sinn Féin win seat at 46% but down 4% to SDLP, presumably. Likewise DUP at 23% down 3% to UUP, presumably. With various rounding ups, Alliance go from 2% to 3%.

Nationalist vote more centre and Alliance at least gain. Maybe some move 'cos of Brexit from DUP to UUP?

mathanxiety · 06/05/2018 07:56

Yes, Venezuela has its share of US interference also, plus sanctions.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cia-venezuela-crisis-government-mike-pompeo-helping-install-new-remarks-a7859771.html

mathanxiety · 06/05/2018 07:57

And Venezuela has oil.

HesterThrale · 06/05/2018 08:09

Sajis Javid's busy week:

Sat 28 April - writes emotional article in Telegraph. Sajid Javid’s Windrush fury: ‘It could have been me, my mum or my dad’
Mon 30 - Is appointed Home Secretary
Tues 1 May - makes speech in Commons - the Windrush generation will be helped; no more 'hostile environment'
Weds 2 May - votes with Govt against a Labour motion to reveal Govt docs about Windrush.

I don't trust this guy at all. Plus he's pro-Brexit and has altered the balance in Cabinet.

He's always in the past voted for tough immigration measures:
www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24854/sajid_javid/bromsgrove/divisions?policy=6734

Even the NYTimes are saying:
A New Face Won’t Change the British Government’s Racist Heart
mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/02/opinion/sajid-javid-home-office-hostile-environment.html

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/04/28/sajid-javids-windrush-fury-could-have-mum-dad/amp/

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/02/conservative-mps-told-to-vote-against-windrush-documents-motion

OnTheDarkSideOfTheSpoon · 06/05/2018 08:50

I missed this from earlier this week

G4S can keep running Brook House immigration removal centre following detainee abuse scandal, Home Office quietly announces

'The procurement process featured a heightened level of due diligence' because of undercover footage, says government

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/g4s-brook-house-choke-detainees-undercover-tinsley-home-office-contract-a8337051.html

RedToothBrush · 06/05/2018 10:02

amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/may/05/barnet-paid-price-for-labour-record-on-antisemitism?CMP=share_btn_tw&__twitter_impression=true
Barnet paid the price for Labour’s record on antisemitism

In Golders Green, which has a large Jewish population, turnout was above 70% compared with below 40% in other polling districts. Non-Jewish residents voted against us in solidarity with their Jewish friends, neighbours and loved ones.

I see this morning that Adam Langleben who was a candidate in Barnet has been vocal in his dislike for Skwarkbox. In the online disagreement that followed Chris Williamson MP has blocked him.

Williamson's views and position have continually upset the jewish community.

OP posts:
OnTheDarkSideOfTheSpoon · 06/05/2018 10:46

hester it doesn't appear to be going well for Javid

Westministenders: Amber Alert
BigChocFrenzy · 06/05/2018 10:49

Math I'm old enough to remember the Dirty War of the 1970s in Argentina, then later the Falklands War.
Argentina had had severe economic problems and dangerous political instability for decades before, although of course the upper middle class were sheltered

I'm not old enough to remember the early 20th century (my late parents were born just after WW1) when Argentina was one of the richest countries with income & standard of living for most Argentinians commensurate wih this.

BigChocFrenzy · 06/05/2018 10:50

It is sometimes referred to as an example of how a rich "1st world country" can indeed descend into perpetual poverty & chaos if it once falls over the cliff

DGRossetti · 06/05/2018 10:52

I noticed there's a section which requires non-Brits to declare not only their parents' names, date & place of birth, date of marriage, but also their grandparents'!

Let me see, for me:

DGF1 - Born in India
DGF2 - Born in Italy
DGM1 - Born in US
DGM2 - Born in UK.

That would be a lot of fun ...

BigChocFrenzy · 06/05/2018 10:53

Hmm Unless Javid knew about this and did nothing, I don't regard him as responsible for what his relatives do.
I've some very racist hard right family members in the US and I went NC with them a long time ago

DGRossetti · 06/05/2018 10:55

Just to add to the whole fin-de-siecle mood ... remember how important Leavers told us it was to nurture domestic talent ????

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44020235

Up to 1,500 junior doctors who were offered posts as registrars have had their job offers withdrawn, following a mistake in the recruitment process.

The Royal College of Physicians, which oversaw the recruitment, apologised, blaming human error. It said the process would have to be re-run.

In a statement, the British Medical Association said it was "appalled".

"We cannot express how unacceptable we find this situation," adding: "This has caused extreme anxiety for trainees."

The junior doctors were alerted to the error just before 17:00 BST on Friday, at the start of the bank holiday weekend. Fellow doctors described juniors as being in tears.

Many were set to uproot their families to take up the job offers, selling homes, putting offers down on houses, moving children to new schools and partners resigning from jobs to find new ones.

(contd)

OnTheDarkSideOfTheSpoon · 06/05/2018 10:59

The article says he wasn't involved

He claimed that the allegations were an attempt to smear Mr Javid. He said: ‘It’s absolutely lies, because they are saying it against my nephew, it’s all rubbish, I don’t believe it, they are telling lies.’

Mr Hamid added: ‘My brother ran the business from Rajana and Lahore, helping with student visas’ – adding that he occasionally worked with him, too.

When asked how many ‘students’ he helped to send to the UK and other countries, Mr Hamid said that it was just a ‘few,’ adding that his brother closed the business down about two years before his death.

Mr Hamid added that he once worked at the British consulate in Mirpur in Pakistan and moved to the UK after marrying a British woman he met there.

A spokeswoman for Mr Javid said last night he knew ‘absolutely nothing’ about the claims concerning his uncles.

Asked if Mr Javid knew they ran an immigration business, and if so, whether he had informed Mrs May on being appointed Home Secretary, the spokeswoman declined to elaborate. She said Mr Javid’s earlier denial ‘covers it’.

BigChocFrenzy · 06/05/2018 10:59

All 4 of my GP were born in the 1870s - 1890; on my mum's side, they were from the ME and lived all their lives there and in Sudan

Fortunately my Mum naturalised after WW2 when she married my dad and I was born British.

Otherwise I'd be screwed - I don't know if any GPs lived to see me, but I don't know any of their names and with their DOBs and countries of origin, I would have difficulty getting data about them.

I wonder if the govt would dare implement these checks for Brits living in the EU who renew their passports,
or have to return after a disorderly Brexit (e.g. pensioners who lose funded healthcare in the EU)

prettybird · 06/05/2018 11:25

Thinking about my grandparents

Dad's mum: born England 4 August 1914 (to German and English parents, hence why the family moved to Denmark)
Dad's dad: South Africa. Not sure of his birthday but I'm sure my dad knows it.
Mum's mum: Australia, don't know birthday (but I'm sure my aunt or uncle would know it)
Mum's dad: Australia - and again, I'd have to ask my aunt or uncle for details.

Don't know when they got married - but at least I have my dad and aunts and uncles to ask.

Heaven help child refugees (including those in the kinder transport) or anyone who lived in abusive households and got out as soon as they could. Or, heaven forfend, whose mother was unmarried Shock

The UK is becoming ever more arrogant in its belief in its "specialness" Hmm and that it is justified in being so pernickety and exclusive (and expensive! Angry)

I had looked up Argentina's history after BigChocFrenzy had mentioned earlier its fall from the economic top tier. So many uncomfortable parallels Sad

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