Westminstenders: Rebel or Reveal

[RedToothBrush]

The EU Withdrawal Bill made it through the Commons. Though May did not manage it unscathed.

In an attempt to divide and conquer the Rebels, May might have damaged trust. We shall find out. The Grieve Amendment faces the Lords. We also will see if the Lords will back down on their amendments or apply some new ones for the Commons to deal with in Parliamentary Ping Pong.

Aaron Banks has been exposed as being pally with the Russian Embassy in a plot twist that absolutely everyone saw coming.

Meanwhile the EU thinks we have already run out of time and is preparing options to extend talks beyond the a50 deadline. These include having MEPs for the 2019 - 2024 session.

There is also growing talk around Europe that freedom of movement in its current form is unsustainable. Ironically we might see the EU adopt something akin to Cameron's pre-referendum proposals as the EU reforms.

Theresa May has also announced - at a moment when she is looking particularly weak - a new tax for the NHS, cunningly disguised in spin as 'the Brexit dividend'. Of course shareholders don't always get dividends and at times of poor economic performance instead might be asked to stump up extra capital...Expect to see buses with £350 million of the side just in time for the next general election cycle.

And so the Zombie PM limbers on towards the end of the summer session and the relative safety of the summer holidays. More drama, cringing and disbelief guaranteed before we get there.

Feeling anxious too. Exacerbated by spending the morning in a European consulate for a ceremony to take on my new nationality. So welcoming, so warm, no fees, so many contrasts with the British process.

Sam Coates Times @ samcoatestimes
So as of midday I’ve spoken to leading Tory rebels who say “there’s a long way to go” and are giving the impression there could be some gvt movement before 3.30pm.

That, as someone once said, is a snapshot not a prediction...

Sounds like they are aiming for compromise. Don't hold your breath on the vote

All I can say is, I don't think there will be national unity again in my lifetime now.

Remember, that for a lot of people "national" means "English" ....

@GeorgeWParker
9m9 minutes ago
Brexit peace deal in the Commons? ERG Moggites and Grievey rebels appear to be gathering around an Oliver Letwin brokered compromise, pulling party back from the brink. Prob 1: waiting for @theresamay and @DavidDavisMP sign-off. Prob 2: will anyone understand it?

@bbclaurak
Laura Kuenssberg Retweeted George Parker
Peace in our time?? Again.....

I wonder if Kuenssberg realises the dreadful irony of that reference?

I wonder if Kuenssberg realises the dreadful irony of that reference?

I doubt it.

In general, I've noticed one defining characteristic of Brexiteers is their blanket ignorance of history. Although admittedly it is balanced by a phenomenal capacity to memorise slogans. Never has so much been spouted by so many who know so little, is how the founder of the European Convention on Human Rights might have phrased it.

Congratulations @Wifeof.
I am just hoping my new 'neighbours' don't turn actively 'anti' British. I don't think they will as beer seems to be a common theme.

Feeling sick about today too.

Currently in the process of booking a short trip to an EU country where DH has some business connnections, to see what we think of it as a potential home - although trying to get the job move would be a very long shot.
Feeling sad about this.

Feel sick too :(

Some good questions about Trump at PMQs. Teresa is so desperate for a trade deal to save her brexit policy she doesn't dare to tell Trump not to come.

@faisalislam
PM says she wholly and unequivocally considers the cageing of children by US immigration detention as “wrong” - says she stopped detention of children in UK as Home Secretary

!!!!!!!!!!!***

Thank you 54
The waiting time when I applied was up to 1 year. Despite the UK consulate pulling in staff from all over the world to deal with the influx of applications the wait is now 3 years!! Glad I got in early .

From yesterday's paper:
Babies and unaccompanied children detained for more than 10 hours at Heathrow Airport, finds report

More than a thousand children detained at airport in last year, inspectors warn

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/heathrow-airport-detained-babies-children-unaccompanied-minors-immigration-home-office-a8406196.html

Government accused of scrapping pledge to end child detention in prison-style immigration removal centres

Children are being sent back to a centre resembling a prison

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/child-detention-immigration-centres-scrapped-broken-promise-tinsley-house-cedars-barnados-home-a7149981.html

Tweet from my (SNP) MP about talk of Labour abstaining. Seems a fair question

@StewartMcDonald: I ask again: Why did the Prime Minister promise £1billion to the DUP when she’s getting Labour for free? https://t.co/PyHudHvQcr

Did the £1Billion happen or is it just a promise of (£ unicorns) for sometime in the future that might not actually happen?

I'm also feeling very anxious and sick today

Tom Newton Dunn
Tom Newton Dunn
@tnewtondunn
Fantastic intrigue in the Tory naughty corner through out #PMQs. Julian Smith and deputy Chris Pincher summoning rebels in and out for quite words like yo yos.
1:02 PM · Jun 20, 2018

Sam Coates Times @SamCoatesTimes
Labour sources claim Tories refusing to “nod thru” ill MPs this afternoon.

Conventionally, ill MPs can turn up and stay in car/ambulance in courtyard and be deemed to hv voted. 2 Lab MPs coming from hospital, one on morphine, source claimed.

Not today (unless deal done etc)

I also hope Jo Swinson (9 months pregnant) has her legs crossed this afternoon.

Looking increasingly like the rebellion is off though.

www.theregister.co.uk/2018/06/20/europol_data_information_sharing_uk_eu_brexit_barnier/

@faisalislam
NEW Government concedes in David Davis written ministerial statement just before debate that Speaker could allow the meaningful vote be amended in an attempt to stave off possible defeat on vote this afternoon.

@catherinemep
Shock on MPs’ faces as @guyverhofstadt explains that Britain is heading (based on current red lines) for a Ukraine style association agreement after Brexit

Ukraine style might be more apt than they realise either.........

Helen Belcher @HelenCBelcher
I’m being struck at the moment how central @LibDems MPs are to most of the headline stories over the past few days - upskirting, Brexit, cannabis, Gosport hospital - all have had strong Lib Dem voices in support.

Interesting, isn't it? Though not surprising.

Lisa Nandy asked a question at PMQ in relation to Northern Rail. She's been given emails from a couple of years ago, saying that Northern Rail knew it would happen. Here's her twitter thread about it. twitter.com/lisanandy/status/1009399963443519489

One of the most significant things in the emails was Northern Rail's attitude to government. @Election_data sums it up well:

Election Data @election_data
It's the tone of these emails that really bothers me. It's a tone I hear an awful lot. "Oh we'll just give them a sop and string them along a bit. They're idiots up there."

Its got to be said that attitude is openly and widely shared by business and those with money. The competence and ability of MPs is held in low regard and their authority is even lower.

This is how far we have sunk.

It does not bode well for our future.