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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).

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Thread gallery
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BigChocFrenzy · 30/04/2018 15:09

I wonder if the Home Office will demand to see Javid's passport and 4 pieces of documentation for each year since 1973 ? Hmm

DGRossetti · 30/04/2018 15:09

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Westministenders: Amber Alert
BigChocFrenzy · 30/04/2018 15:14

I also wonder if Trump will Twitter against him after every terrorist attack, as he does Sadiq Khan.

BigChocFrenzy · 30/04/2018 15:28

"We know, after witnessing May's election performance, that she can't think on her feet."

Or sitting down
Or standing up at conference and croaking out a speech
Or running through fields of wheat

When she does manage to think, as on her walking holidays, her thoughts are not worth waiting for

TomRavenscroft · 30/04/2018 15:54

I also wonder if Trump will Twitter against him after every terrorist attack, as he does Sadiq Khan.

That's a really interesting point. Does Trump go after Khan because he's small fry and it doesn't really matter? Will he leave a bigger fish alone? Or does he consider even the Home Sec a fair target?

RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 16:11

www.buzzfeed.com/patricksmith/the-home-office-has-launched-4-leak-inquiries-into-the?utm_term=.yvqxeE5DRW#.dyPJnPKy4X
The Home Office Has Launched 4 Leak Inquiries Into The Release of Documents That Damaged Amber Rudd
BuzzFeed News has learned there are at least four separate internal inquiries underway, including how documents relating to the Windrush scandal were given to journalists.

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lonelyplanetmum · 30/04/2018 16:19

So there's no time or funds for a proper enquiry into election spending fraud and Cambridge Analytica for example. However plenty of time for a witch hunt surrounding a leak.

Er how about politicians being above board. Stating the truth and facts. Then leaks wouldn't be so damaging.

Also can we now have a wider clear out. Davis lied recently about those bloody impact assessment/ sectoral analyses. Let's start with him next.

TomRavenscroft · 30/04/2018 16:29

So there's no time or funds for a proper enquiry into election spending fraud and Cambridge Analytica for example. However plenty of time for a witch hunt surrounding a leak.

Yep. How hypocritical.

Basically, don't piss off the civil servants, is what they should learn from this. Learn and then move on.

RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 16:56

BBC Parliament @BBCParliament
Lords voting on amdt 49 to EU Withdrawal Bill - Viscount Hailsham's push for Parliament to determine govt's course of action if final deal rejected by MPs. Result in about 20 mins

that's about ten mins from this post. This is a BIG vote if it goes through

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RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 16:59

Sorry that's not supposed to be a link.

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JWIM · 30/04/2018 17:01

Gov't loses in the HoL Amendment 49 335 to 244

RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 17:02

Esther Webber @estwebber
Govt defeat: Peers vote 335 to 244 for amendment which lets Parliament decide what happens if MPs reject Brexit deal or no deal reached

That's a HUGELY significant. I also believe the biggest yet.

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RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 17:14

Laura Kuenssberg @bbclaurak
Starmer urges PM to accept the amendment and 'recognise there is no majority in Parliament or the country for a no deal Brexit' - govt will fight v hard to kill this off when it comes back to the Commons next month

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RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 17:19

Esther Webber @estwebber
Conservative Viscount Hailsham is introducing an amendment allowing Parliament to decide next steps if the final Brexit deal is rejected by MPs or is not finalised by 28 February 2019
Viscount Hailsham says as it stands Parliament's view will be of "remarkably little significance" and govt is behaving like "an elected dictatorship" over the vote on a deal
Lord Hannay suggests Lord Howard has not looked at the amendment carefully enough - Lord Howard tells him to let him finish his speech before accusing him of carelessness
Conservative former leader Lord Howard says the amdt on a meaningful vote is "thoroughly misconceived and demonstrates the appalling lengths to which die-hard Remainers are prepared to go to achieve their ends"
Current Lords status: all kicking off.^
(In a nutshell, some peers unhappy at the amendment which wd allow Parlt to decide next steps if MPs reject Brexit deal - they argue it's the Lords trying to tie the Commons' hands)
First we had Lib Dem Lord Roberts comparing the Brexit bill to Hitler's Enabling Act, now Conservative Lord Fairfax describes Remainers as "fifth columnists"
Labour spokesperson Baroness Hayter backs the amendment, saying "to ask Parliament to decide whether the outcome is good for the country - it doesn't seem to me that's too much to ask"
Brexit Minister Lord Callanan says giving Parlt more control over meaningful vote would mean a shift in which arm of the state can act in the international sphere and "I cannot support such a move"

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OlennasWimple · 30/04/2018 17:27

Gosh, we do indeed live in interesting times...

Thanks for the new thread, Red

RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 17:41

www.buzzfeed.com/janebradley/the-uks-tax-chief-has-admitted-it-was-a-mistake-to-discuss?utm_term=.jaq3zpNMVG#.psRM9mYvWD
The UK's Tax Chief Has Admitted It Was A "Mistake" To Discuss A Money Laundering Suspect's Political Donations
“Are you a bit embarrassed that an email like that was leaked?”

Lycamobile story continues

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lonelyplanetmum · 30/04/2018 17:46

It's absolutely absurd (and shows how low we have sunk) that there could any doubt that there would be full Parliamentary debate and process on issues as big as this.

Did this circumventing of parliamentary process start with May's attempts to trigger article 50 without Parliament? Or has the disregard for due process start before then?

RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 17:47

Started with May. She's taken illegal actions in the Home Office too remember.

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RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 17:52

Faisal Islam @faisalislam
Vote in House of Lords likely to approve supercharging Commons powers for meaningful vote on PM’s EU Withdrawal Deal
Lords defeats Government again on Brexit Bill meaningful vote, giving Commons big new powers over Eu Withdrawal Deal, including on No Deal
Contents 335
Not contents 244
Majority of 91
Opposition source: amendment effectively takes No Deal off table
Government furious about this amendment passing, say it gives Parliament “unprecedented constitutional power” including to stop Brexit

Nick Cohen @NickCohen4
It's come to something when the Prime Minister doesn't realise that power resides in parliament and always has

Point here: If it was about 'taking back control for parliament' why should the government be angry about this?

Unless the ambition was indeed for pushing through to a No Deal situation?

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lonelyplanetmum · 30/04/2018 17:53

Sorry lots of typos in my post, but I think it's her too.

Open minded debate and consensus aren't her style.What riles me is that true parliamentary sovereignty is under threat in a way it never was from the open and consensual EU.

RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 17:57

There were 19 Tory Lord Rebels on this amendment.

Last week across all the amendments there were only 17 (none had near that number for a single amendment). So there were two extra rebels and they all had a problem with the Commons having no say.

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JustAnotherPoster00 · 30/04/2018 18:50

Did this circumventing of parliamentary process start with May's attempts to trigger article 50 without Parliament? Or has the disregard for due process start before then?

Didnt that start with George Osbourne with the SI's he was using to implement the benefit cuts?

RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 19:01

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/labour-mp-john-woodcock-suspended-from-party-pending-sex-harassment-investigation_uk_5ae74b37e4b02baed1bce7e5?pso
Labour MP John Woodcock Suspended From Party Pending Sex Harassment Investigation
One of Corbyn's fiercest critics has whip withdrawn

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RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 19:09

ITV News @itvnews
Watch Sainsbury's CEO sing "we're in the money" while waiting to talk about the £12 billion merger with Asda - he's since apologised for his "unguarded moment"
twitter.com/itvnews/status/991009901496422400

Whhhoooppps!

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RedToothBrush · 30/04/2018 19:10

Jessica Elgot @jessicaelgot
Amendment 49 - gives parliament power to order further negotiations if a deal is voted down. The negotiating mandate one is 51, vote expected around 7pm.

Anytime now.

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