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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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Cailleach1 · 01/05/2018 09:25

John Taylor seems to have a problem with Varadkar. When he called him 'the Indian', he said he just couldn't remember his name. But the latest remark makes it obvious he has issues.

Someone should break it to him that the world has moved on.

lonelyplanetmum · 01/05/2018 09:33

Those nasty Lords trying day after day to act in our best interests. Trying to stop more things like ...the announcement on Irish TV (RTE) about a €325,000,000 investment from a Hong Kong based pharmaceutical company.

They chose Ireland instead of here because of Brexit, obviously from Ireland they can freely access the EU market. About new 400 permanent jobs and 700 construction jobs in a rural area.

RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 09:38

www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2018/05/01/hostile-environment-the-dark-side-of-nudge-theory
Hostile environment: The dark side of nudge theory

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BigChocFrenzy · 01/05/2018 09:47

If I created my own dataset using data from my employer, it would belong to them, no matter how much work I invested in it
and I would have to delete it when left them.
If I ever used it for my own purposes later, I would face massive civil suits, as well as criminal prosectuon

I'm surprised if Warren had contract allowing him to do what he did - and if he indeed had such a contract, that was a huge oversight by the Labour organisation.

Most firms realise that their data has great value and can also be used to do them harm;
hence they protect it vigorously in contracts with both employees and consultants

frankiestein401 · 01/05/2018 10:02

@bigchoc - he's claiming the data set predates his labour party work and therefore would be his ipr? - whether or not he used it in working for labour would have been his call - however I agree any enriched data set would be expected to be labour party ipr.

having your own ipr is not unusual it's part of the reason you get hired!

DGRossetti · 01/05/2018 10:30

Unless the howls of "outrage" over the Lords actions is translated into an immediate campaign for the constitutional reform of the UK, there will be the lurking suspicion that they are motivated more by political expediency than a deep seated desire for the well being of the democratic process.

Is what a decent opposition would be saying.

Instead I have to. Now wheres my salary ?

DGRossetti · 01/05/2018 12:03

Meanwhile, back in post Brexit Britain, school trips might be very different

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-43948750

There are calls to make sure Brexit does not mean that school day trips across the Channel are caught up in requirements for visas.

(contd)

Cailleach1 · 01/05/2018 12:30

Thanks BBC, for putting Gerald Batton on again. Just so UKIP's views can get wall to wall prominence. What did they poll in the last general election? How many MP's do they have? Also if we're doing MEP's where are the other 50 odd MEP's who should get as much airtime as the Kippers? Batton was on Peston on Sunday. And here he is again. Seriously?

I'm so glad my licence fee is supporting such a high incidence of Kipper exposure.

Cailleach1 · 01/05/2018 12:32

batten, not batton.

Cailleach1 · 01/05/2018 12:40

People incorrectly keep saying that the EU (inc. Ireland) want to put the border in the Irish Sea. It is a straw man.

This is the nub of the problem. That @MichelBarnier making a case for protecting current openness of the Irish land border can be presented as making a case for a border in the Irish sea. It need not be that binary choice. It is up to UK to ensure that it is not

twitter.com/hayward_katy/status/990906937419157504

lonelyplanetmum · 01/05/2018 13:20

Have we seen this one in the standard...

If it's true, May personally refused to allow the desperately needed medical staff... because ....they're forrin.

It seems she is determined to meet her absurd self imposed unrealistic quotas literally at any price. Price meaning human life.

www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-may-refused-to-budge-on-quotas-for-foreign-medics-after-cabinet-ministers-pleas-for-more-a3828141.html

DGRossetti · 01/05/2018 13:40

absurd self imposed unrealistic quotas l

Not trying to be inflammatory, but I noticed someone comment on other "quotas" that have snuck into modern life - bearing in mind the high profile collapse of recent cases involving allegations of rape.

RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 15:08

Esther Webber via bbc new website live feed:
The government's plans to come down harder on money-laundering will not be debated in Parliament after it submitted them too late.

MPs are set to discuss a cross-party amendment designed to reveal beneficial owners of companies registered in British Overseas Territories.

Ministers put forward their own plans on Monday in a bid to stave off defeat.

But they missed the tabling deadline and their amendments will not be eligible for consideration.

Commons Speaker John Bercow highlighted the issue as the debate began, remarking: "They appeared in print for the first time only this morning."

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan said the government accepted the procedural basis for the Speaker rejecting their amendments but added they had been aimed at "seeking unity" in the House.

The government later announced it would not oppose the amendment from Labour's Dame Margaret Hodge on beneficial ownership.

The government were so over loaded they missed a deadline on submitting their amendments on the money laundering bill to avoid a government defeat over opposition amendments

This isn't a minor thing. Just shows just how stretched the government currently are and how something as important as this they've had to just accept as a defeat.

God knows what other plates they have failed to keep spinning.

How many more are going to emerge?

Highly embarrassing.

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RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 15:13

Faisal Islam @ faisalislam
Government climbdown ahead of likely defeat on sanctions bill Amendment signed by Tory rebels - amendment on public registers of ownership in Overseas Territories accepted

This is the amendment to the foreign sec’s legislation, now accepted by government- interesting that the Commons has taken the opportunity of one of the Brexit Bills to do this:

This could have serious consequences for the British Virgin Islands and other overseas territories’ business model

It seems they were likely to be defeated without tabling an alternative amendment because of Tory Rebels. But they couldn't get it done in time.

Quite astonishing.

Westministenders: Amber Alert
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DGRossetti · 01/05/2018 15:27

This isn't a minor thing. Just shows just how stretched the government currently are and how something as important as this they've had to just accept as a defeat.

Hard not to feel some sort of schadenfreude here. One of "project fear"s themes was that the legislative effort required for Brexit would paralyse parliament for years. If high profile stuff like this is being fucked up, you have to wonder what's lurking in the shadows.

As a keen home distiller, I am aware that the New Zealand government accidentally legalised home distilling in the 1990s. I wonder what the UK could do by accident ? Given how incredibly packed the parliamentary calendar is, they may not be able to rush through the usual retrospective legalising acts to protect themselves from some heavy-duty lawsuits ...

RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 15:50

Faisal Islam @faisalislam
This could have serious consequences for the British Virgin Islands and other overseas territories’ business model

Christopher Howarth @CJCHowarth
^Christopher Howarth Retweeted Faisal Islam
Quite, they either declare independence or have to claim more UK taxpayer's cash. That's neo-Imperialism for you^

Faisal Islam @faisalislam
Move came after Speaker rejected Government compromise amendments because the came too late... Alan Duncan saying that the Government had to recognise the “majority view” of the House

Faisal Islam @faisalislam
Does Brexit mean BVIexit?

BVI Premier said last week that passing this amendment “is repugnant to the constitutional arrangements that UK made” and “destroy any trust between the BVI and UK”

www.bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/statement-premier-smith-united-kingdom-sanctions-and-anti-money-laundering-bill

So BVI might have to declare independence on the basis of an amendment that the government didn't table an alternative to, by the deadline.

Should we start worrying about deadlines??

I hope Gibraltar are watching carefully. And NI. And the Falklands.

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DGRossetti · 01/05/2018 15:54

I am sure there are whole websites devoted to unintentional side-effects of rushed, crap and un-overseen legislation around the world.

Let's just hope they have plenty of storage free ....

RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 16:04

m.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/theresa-may-facing-parliamentary-ambush-to-force-publication-of-windrush-documents-labour-opposition-day_uk_5ae87689e4b02baed1be3433/?x2p=&__twitter_impression=true
Theresa May Facing Parliamentary Ambush To Force Publication Of Windrush Documents
Similar tactic to that used to force Brexit impact documents

Oh dear.

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RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 16:05

The Doctor story. Who do you think leaked that one? Some one in Cabinet? Someone in the Home Office perhaps? Someone who has been friendly and been defended by George Osbourne in the past?

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lonelyplanetmum · 01/05/2018 16:09

Light relief, for a loo break or something!

I like the Steve Analyst one...

All was promised by the Leave Campaign,
When voters don't get it, they'll blame Remain.
Leaves lies spelt the death of cars maker and pharma
Small businesses, and the humble farmer
And for the proof that Brexit's a cult:
Labour Leave is still happy with this result.#BrexitPoems

www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/anti-brexit-poetry-in-response-to-telegraph-editor-1-5500142

RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 16:20

Faisal Islam @faisalislam
Tory MP uses Parliamentary privilege during the Sanctions Bill, to air extraordinary claims about the billionaire founder of an institute that has enjoyed widespread influence in Government, particularly on Brexit:

Deborah Haynes @haynesdeborah
BREAK - @IoWBobSeely uses parliamentary privilege to claim that Christopher Chandler, founder of the Legatum Institute, was an "object of interest" to French intelligence (DST) in 2002 "on suspicion of working for the Russian intelligence services"

Mr Seely says he is speaking out in the national interest. He asks whether Mr Chandler would like to respond to allegations in documents that he has obtained and is quoting from in @HouseofCommons during a debate on anti-money laundering

@IoWBobSeely: "According to the French security services as recorded by their colleagues in Monaco ... Mr Chandler is described as having been 'an object of interest to the DST [French intelligence] since 2002 on suspicion of working for the Russian intelligence services'."

WOW!

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RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 16:25

Patrick Wintour @patrickwintour
Bob Seeley MP using parliamentary privilege names Christopher Chandler businessman behind Legatum think tank as an object of interest to the French intelligence services on the basis of his links with Russian intelligence. Says 4 other MPs have seen same papers.

French intelligence papers on Legatum backer Christopher Chandler have been seen by Bob @IoWBobSeely, Liam Byrne Adam Holloway Chris Bryant and Ben Bradshaw. Propose they go to a Commons joint committee inquiry into Russia.

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DGRossetti · 01/05/2018 16:28

Wasn't there quite a debate about parliamentary privilege a while back, when all the superinjunctions were flying ?

I quite get that our elected representatives must be able to do their job without fear of monied libel actions. But it's a fine line between that, and - let's be frank - bullying. If you can call your opponent whatever you like knowing that they don't have the same avenue available to them, how just is it ?

I worry that if MPs abuse it, it will be removed or fettered. And that would be disastrous. Wasn't Rachman finally stopped because an MP accused him of illegal practices in the HoC, when attempts to do so outside were slapped with injunctions ?

RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 16:29

www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/uber-ban-brighton-licence-hove-renewal-a8331236.html
Uber’s licence will not be renewed in Brighton and Hove, city council says

Interesting.

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RedToothBrush · 01/05/2018 16:40

David Davis is in front of the Brexit Select Committee at the moment.

www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/5fdb7a8f-463c-469d-bc2b-62b5a739aba9

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