Westministenders: Stalling for Time

[RedToothBrush]

After 14 defeats, the Withdrawal Bill exited the Lords. In much worse condition than anyone dared to predicted.

Now we have those who were viciously against Lords reform, all of a sudden shouting about how much we desperately need it. Well fancy that. Tradition isn't so attractive if you aren't getting your own way.

Daniel Hannan has suddenly admitted that Brexit is not 'going to plan' (there was one?) and Johnson is still his weekly resignation threat.

It now throws things back into Corbyn's court. The Tory Rebel Forces think that they have the numbers to stay in the Single Market, but are blocked by Corbyn's opposition to it.

The decision on the customs union has effectively been pushed back to the Autumn by May, but we have to make a decision about the Irish border by June or trade talks won't go ahead as planned.

The trouble is that the Cabinet can not decide on which option they want to take, but neither is particularly viable anyway. Max Fac means a border in the Irish Sea which the DUP won't like and the Customs Partnership isn't acceptable to the Empire Tories. In any case it seems unlikely that either option could get through the Commons in their current form due to the growing number of Tory Rebel Forces.

May also has a problem with the grass roots. It is more or less impossible for her to deliver the Brexit they desire whatever she tries.

The growing backlash about the hostile environment also undermines the point of Brexit in reducing immigration. Its is growing apparent, WHY we need immigration and that the people who are being targeted for deportation are simply the easiest to pick off and not the ones that people see as 'a problem'. Indeed you have to wonder about how many immigrants ARE a problem. The idea to control immigration after Brexit was not through the border but through the hostile environment, yet this seems now to be something that will be impossible to continue with politically.

Leave.EU have now been referred to the police for breaking Electoral Law. It also turns out that they found numerous ways to beat the spending limit legally. The female data controller has also been found to have data protection law. Meanwhile Banks and Wigmore as well as Nix (CA and SCL), Cummings (Vote Leave) and Silvester (AIQ) have all been summoned to appear because the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee. Zuckerberg also does not appear to have completed his answers to the committee as Facebook have had their homework deadline extended to Monday (and has been asked to appear by the 24th May whilst he is in Europe).

Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Dates
Electoral Commission - Tuesday 15th May
Silvester - Wednesday 16th May
Cummings / Nix - Summoned to appear Tuesday 22nd May
Banks / Wigmore - Tuesday 16th June

Also in parliament in next weeks is and interesting looking ten minute rule bill named 'Representation of the People (Gibraltar)' - Tuesday 15th May

Anyway, we are all set for the predictable 'who blinks first' brinkmanship with the UK aware that if the EU don't blink we go over the cliff and parliament aware that if May delays long enough she bypasses parliamentary democracy or put it in a position with a gun to its head.

Who is looking forward to this year's 'row of the summer'?
It could be a long, hot summer.

Anyway, I want France to win Eurovision and the UK to get some points and not come last. Its not going to happen is it?

Barnier‘s speech today (in French, at Congress of the international Federation for the European law, Lisbon)

quite pointed - sounds like he‘s fed up with the ludicrous chaos & incompetence of the UK side:

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-releaseSPEECH-18-39622_fr.htm

Une négociation ne peut pas être une partie de cache-cache
(a negotiation can't be a game of hide-and-seek)

Analysis (English language):

https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2018-05-26/eu-brexit-chief-urges-realistic-u-k-plans-backs-court-s-role

Both sides agree that a joint committee should oversee the Brexit deal, but they disagree on how it would work.
The EU wants the involvement of its court system, while the U.K. wants the committee itself to be the final arbiter.

But such an approach would be “tantamount to replacing the jurisdictional application of the rules of law with a political settlement, which is unacceptable,’’Barnier said,
adding that the EU won’t accept “any jurisdiction other than the Court of Justice of the European Union’’ to interpret EU law.
…
Barnier said there’s still time for the U.K. to water down some of its red lines if it wants to have stronger ties to the EU in future,
but the government needs to be clearer about its position.

He added that British politicians mustn’t blame the EU if the U.K. doesn’t get what it wants out of the negotiations.

“I can see the temptation of the blame game, placing the negative consequences of Brexit on the European Union,’’
he said “But we will not be impressed.’’ < be warned, re post-Brexit trade negotiations>

@rtepolitics
BREAKING: REFERENDUM RESULT
Total poll 2,159,655
Invalid 6,042
Valid poll 2,153,613
Yes 1,429,981
No 723,632

Majority in favour 706,349

That's 66%! Beyond proud.

I know it's come and gone, but anyone watch Homeland - the last season ?

Mrs Rossetti and I are catching up, and were amused to noticed that for US scriptwriters, the notion of Brexit being steered by Russian meddling is a given ...

That's 66%! Beyond proud
Absolutely fantastic! North of Ireland is next.

Well done Ireland.

woman The RoI has been rising on a progressive wave for several years now

Unfortunately, NI is still stuck in the 18th century mire of sectarianism and the DUP throwbacks are rampant with this disfunctional govt at Westminster

True, BCF

But let's celebrate with the RoI

I remember back when divorce, contraception and homosexuality were all illegal there.
Also when the RoI and most of its people were poor - the EU transformed their economy

Wow, they are motoring !

< I wish the Uk could hitch a ride.
The govt seem to be digging a deep hole, looking for the Victorian era and much of the public & media are yelling "deeper"
The US are digging a hole, looking for the Confederacy >

Could Britain Have an Election in 2018? It’s Not Impossible

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-22/could-britain-have-an-election-in-2018-it-s-not-impossible

The pound fell to its lowest level this year on Monday amid speculation another snap vote could be called after the Sunday Times said some Conservative lawmakers are privately preparing for one.
…
Philip Cowley, professor of politics at Queen Mary, University of London, and author of a series of election histories, put the chance of an election at around one in four.

"If the unstoppable force of Conservatives pushing for Britain to leave the customs union collides with the immovable object of a parliamentary majority for staying in, anything could happen,"

If there is a GE in the autumn - who will lead the conservative party? Will they let May run another 'splendid' campaign? Does anyone else want this poisoned chalice?

If Labour do not win under Corbyn - will he resign - answer NO. He will hang onto power until the party is dead before he surrenders voluntarily. Apparently it is the voters who are wrong not him ...

Discuss

Well, the electorate didn't give Theresa May a mandate for her hard Brexit last time, and despite the protests of our now quiet Brexit Arms friends, I don't seem them likely to another time. Since the last election, as well as cuts to health and education, we have also seen Grenfell and the Windrush scandal - none of this is edifying for the Tories.

I think we'd get another hung Parliament. We might just get a Corbyn minority Government - perish the thought, but such a government wouldn't have the same vitriolic hatred of state provision.

The ideal for me would be a Parliament where it was impossible to form a Government without a genuine cross-party coalition - so this would include LibDems, Lab, moderate Tories, SNP and the odd one or two 'others'.

If there was a leadership challenge, it's quite possible that May would win - Johnson hasn't acquitted himself well, Gove is toxic, Rees-Mogg doesn't have the experience..... I don't think May will risk another early election.

I don't think May will call an election either (last one did not go to plan). But, if the hard Brexiteers call her bluff and force a leadership challenge - then split in the party may force an election. Torry remainers won't vote for a leaver (and vice versa) can't get bills through parliament - deadlock. Would the brexiteers force an election if they thought it was the only way to get the deed done (leaving the EU)?

And it will be exposed that this whole farce of Brexit was about the split in the tory party - settle it for a generation my a*se!

Would the brexiteers force an election if they thought it was the only way to get the deed done (leaving the EU)?

They might, but it's a risky strategy - the public don't always co-operate.

With regard to Ruth Davidson, who presents an affable persona concealing naked ambition and two-facedness, this is quite indicative of the sort of person she really is (I know there are quite a few who do not like Stu Campbell who runs Wings over Scotland, but he does at least always post links to all the source material so that you can form your own judgement)

https://wingsoverscotland.com/ruth-davidson-lie-watch/

Looks like she is perfect material for a future leader of the Conservative Party

The ideal for me would be a Parliament where it was impossible to form a Government without a genuine cross-party coalition - so this would include LibDems, Lab, moderate Tories, SNP and the odd one or two 'others'.

Jess Phillips (among others) certainly sees this as the new "normal". if the parties - well, Tory and Labour - are sensible, they'll have to tone down the yah-boo rhetoric as they may well be in the same position as now - only with a less patient electorate.

I am vaguely reminded of one of those science fiction stories where attempts to "correct time" are thwarted as it emerges that what has to be will be - regardless of the route. In this case the inevitable is some form of pluralist government. And no amount of attempts to thwart it (e.g the repeated rejecting proportional representation) will work ...

If that is the case, maybe - for all it's often discussed faults - the UKs FPTP system is doing it's job, and keeping us from extreme governments (as it certainly did last year).

And if that is the case, then oh, my aching sides

FPTP isn't keeping us from extreme Governments though, is it? Theresa May has carried on as though she has a thumping majority, which she has with the DUP and the de facto agreement of the Corbynista faction of the Labour party.

FPTP isn't keeping us from extreme Governments though, is it?

No, it's the internal splits in both parties ...

No way to be sure until we have another election. But the way the Tories are acting, I'd suggest they believe it.

Remember 'Jezfest'? Is anyone here a member of Unite, cos you could go free of charge with travel paid!! Great use of union funds. How amazing is that? Bet there will be a stampede for tickets now...

www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/jeremy-corbyn/news/95497/unite-gives-away-thousands-tickets
Unite gives away thousands of tickets to Labour music festival after poor sales

The union announced that it will be giving away 1,000 tickets to the event – dubbed 'Jezfest' – which would have cost £35 at full price.

As part of the offer, it also promised to provide free travel for those who needed it.

The move follows reports of poor ticket sales, prompting fears the party could suffer major financial losses of up to £1m.

The event takes place on 16 June at the White Hart Lane recreation ground in Tottenham, north London, which has a capacity of around 20,000. However, only 2,500 tickets have reportedly been sold so far.

Sounds like even with the Unite free tickets that it's set to be a nice intimate gig.

This has to be one of my favourite ongoing political stories atm. It's a PR car crash I can't take my eyes off.

Although this is a special article in today's express.

Ian Dunt @ iandunt
It's hard to know where to start with this. I mean, just as a news story, it is so badly written I wouldn't expect to see it on a conspiracy website, let alone a national newspaper.

The news is at the end of par two. Par one is reserved for delusional whimpering. There is a typo in the first sentence.

The news, when it does eventually come, is that there is such a thing as the World Trade Organisation and that - hold steady for this part - it concerns itself with world trade.

I know. It's crazy.

It then describes 'bizarre' rules against non-discrimination in trade that are really not bizarre. I mean, even if you disagree with them, that is just not a word that applies to them.

The Express is free to pursue whatever demented right-wing identity politics bullshit it wants, but could it do it... better? That'd be nice.

www.express.co.uk/news/uk/965338/brexit-news-world-trade-organisation-meddle-uk-eu-customs-partnership/amp?__twitter_impression=true
OUTRAGEOUS! World Trade Organisation could MEDDLE with Brexit deal agreed by UK and EU

So the campaign to leave the WTO if we hard Brexit will happen. It's almost as if they are unaware that trade deals involve a loss of sovereignty and have silly things called rules to prevent exploitation and trade wars. But they could not be that ridiculously stupid. That would be impossible...

No one shout 'North Korea' or '51st State'.

The event takes place on 16 June at the White Hart Lane recreation ground in Tottenham, north London, which has a capacity of around 20,000. However, only 2,500 tickets have reportedly been sold so far.

And we laughed at the Tories pisspoor attempts to connect with "da kidz"

This is the Guardian article on Barnier's speech. If you have read the links Big Chic posted above, I recommend either reading them or this. It's the bottom line.

amp.theguardian.com/politics/2018/may/26/may-playing-hide-and-seek-brexit-talks-barnier-eu-chief-negotiator?__twitter_impression=true
May playing 'hide and seek' in Brexit talks, Barnier says
Prime minister wants to blame Brussels for UK’s problems, EU chief negotiator claims

We always knew that's the spin the Tories would use. Good to see Barnier calling it out for their lack of responsibility.

Mirror Politics @ mirrorpolitics
Top Tories demand Theresa May allows abortion in Northern Ireland - hurling her into battle with the DUP

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/top-tories-demand-theresa-allows-12605424.amp?__twitter_impression=true
Top Tories demand Theresa May allows abortion in Northern Ireland - hurling her into battle with the DUP
Pressure is piling on the PM after Ireland voted for reform - while Northern Ireland and her DUP allies retain some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe

Led by Penny Mordaunt (current equalities minister) and backed by Amber Rudd, Maria Miller and Justine Greening (the last three equalities ministers) and Nicky Morgan.

Plus 140 women (it seems cross party) seem set to back an amendment to the domestic violence bill which would allow abortion in NI.

Of course this is Ian Paisley
He warned Northern Ireland "should not be bullied into accepting abortion on demand".

Just so we are all aware of this, polling in NI on abortion law shows that the majority of the public think there should be reform but are held hostage by the political establishment of NI who bully their way to preventing reform even though the ECHR has ruled that NI is in breech of human rights on the issue and must change the law. The reason they have not is because none of the parties are prepared to represent the 'will of the people' of NI on this issue and refused to table alternative legislation at Storming.

I do have to say this is one of the few areas where direct rule from Westminster would be helpful to NI residents.

A NI referendum on the subject would be an interesting idea. This particular issue does not run along sectarian lines. The DUP would be forced to campaign alongside hard-line Catholics. If reformers won the DUP arguing (once again) against the 'will of the people' would be a sight to behold.

Interesting....

https://twitter.com/jorichardskent/status/1000367817286471680?s=21

Conservatives asking their constituents for £500 or direct debit of £30 for 'elections' apparently. Anyone know if it's true? £500!

Prettybird - I really dislike Ruth Davidson as a politician. I'm happy Wings is documenting her lies even though the Media won't hold her to account.

And Tory MP Anne Milton (who I believe was formerly a nurse) has called for a free vote on abortion law in NI (nice get out jail free line for May that one).

Brexit meanz Pirates. (nicked from JP)

@thecommongreen
Jacob Rees-Mogg on #marr calmly and quietly explaining that his "solution" to Brexit and customs borders is just to tolerate quite a lot of smuggling and hope that the EU will too.

@IanDunt
Guys maybe there's no Brexit take on the Irish referendum? Just a thought.

Adorable as Dunt is, none of the remain boys want to see that the Irish 'yes' victory is what happens when women lead, campaign and are heard.

Challenging abortion law in NI could be a very useful 'in' for us in so many ways.