Westministenders: Deadline Day #1

[RedToothBrush]

We have hit another Deadline Day.

As it stands, the EU are looking for more progress. May is digging in her heels by suggesting there is new a requirement for backstop to a backstop. The backstop to all intents and purposes is the GFA. So May is saying in effect, that the EU are forcing her to put in provisions to protect an international agreement we are signed up to, and if we breech it we risk peace in NI.

After lots of noise it seems that the Cabinet have decided to stick by May. For now.

The EU look like they are talking as if their meeting next month will exclude the UK and just go straight to No Deal planning.

There is also other talk of alternatives to allow the UK to stay in the customs union. But theres not much to that and it still doesn't solve the ERG and the DUP problem.

May is vastly unestimating how much the ERG and the DUP want to break the GFA. Which is a huge misjudgment.

There is also talk of the final final Deadline Day actually being Dec 13. For various reasons its not. Thats 29th March.

So Wednesday is Deadline Day #1. Expect more.

The Guardian just pulled a reverse ferret and now this.

head explodes

This is far too good to be true.

I need gin.

the PM has just told the 27 leaders she is "ready to consider the extension of the transition period"

Fingers crossed! Any sane person could see that's better than food shortages, civil unrest and the destruction of our economy (though of course being sane isn't a prerequisite for anything).

Well, I always assumed if we have a WA that the transition would need to be extended beyong 2020,
because trade deals take 5-15 years and this chaotic lot could take far longer !
So, she's just making sure the extension is there up front

The question is:
will she sign up to the NI backstop in a form the EU / RoI can accept
Otehrwise, no WA and hence no transition period

Laura Kuennsberg @Bbclaurak
European source says May told other leaders she was ready to consider extension to transition tonight - Tajani earlier said it had been mentioned by both sides

This is not going to go down well at all in Brexiteer quarters - the reason No 10 has been coy about it for months is that they know there will be a LOT of hostility to it at home

www.thedailymash.co.uk/features/five-idiotic-irish-border-solutions-brexiters-will-love-20181016178347

Tom Newton Dunn @tnewtondunn
The question will now be fairly begged: what is the difference between a 3 year transition under full EU rules and payments, and 3 year membership of EFTA/EEA?

Laura Kuennsberg @ bbclaurak
Number 10 still repeatedly refusing to rule out extending the transition - a former Remain supporting MP texts to say 'it won't fly' party just wouldn't support it

George Galloway is reporting on Twitter that there are rumours that the SNP have agreed to abstain on Brexit votes in return for a second Indy Ref. Doesn’t quite seem compatible with May’s precious, precious union, but interesting.

amp.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/17/danny-dyer-to-inject-fun-into-history-for-bbc1?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true
Danny Dyer to 'inject fun' into history for BBC One
EastEnders actor – and descendant of William the Conqueror – to explore 800 years of history

I have no idea if this is an amazing idea, a way to propagate crap British History Tropes which aren't true or just a total car crash of an idea.

The SNP are fucking fools if they've agreed to that.

As if she's kept a promise. And what if she gets ousted.

And indie ref 2 is such a fucking brilliant idea. What could possibly go wrong with that?

💐

The laim fox and the chicken.

David Henig
‏*@DavidHenigUK*

A potentially significant if unsurprising development on trade policy - Liam Fox has as expected said he will accept a US approach to food regulation / chlorinated chicken in trade agreements. Full article paywalled, but key text in next tweet...

twitter.com/DavidHenigUK/status/1052646818302099456

Twatbadger 😂. Excellent.

bigchoc done. Thanks for sharing that, I feel so much better when I can be productive in my pissed-off-ness

Re SNP it would suck if they agreed to that, what if they lost the 2nd Indy ref and failed to represent in brexit votes? Illogical and failing to act in Scotland's best interests.

George Galloway? Even that meow sounded dubious....

@Anna_Soubry
The Govt plays silly beggars at its peril. This is about stopping @peoplesvote_uk Throughout this entire miserable process Govt has sought to avoid Parliamentary scrutiny & prevent MPs from doing their job. So much for regaining sovereignty and “taking back control”!

@bbclaurak

1. Some MPs will still be very cross - it's possible whips will manage to create a situation where Parliament votes to approve the deal in principle BEFORE any changes are discussed - if a vote on a deal in principle has passed, will be harder to change outcome afterwards

the PM has just told the 27 leaders she is "ready to consider the extension of the transition period".

Does it matter what May agrees? She is not the ERG or the DUP. They won't be ready to consider it.

Liam Fox has as expected said he will accept a US approach to food regulation / chlorinated chicken in trade agreements.

So, very very depressing, and it won't be labelled either. Sadly there will be more than enough people who have to rely on this "food." Not Fox of course!

.

US trade deal

All we can do is FILL IN THE SURVEY - govt consulation document for a UK-USA trade deal

https://consultations.trade.gov.uk/policy/consultation-on-trade-negotiations-with-the-us/

Beth rigby @bethrigby
EXCLUSIVE: Govt considering dropping Feb recess to have enough parliamentary time to pass Brexit legislation. There had been discussions about cancelling Xmas ("Brexmas") but chief whip ruled it out for fear of further angering mutinous MPs

Another source tells me whips also looking at whether to use Thurs sittings for Brexit. Typically the day used for backbench debates rather than govt bis. Sense within govt something got to give now that Dec 13 could be the summit where deal sealed (this obvs all fluid)

Ed Wilson @ eddwilson
The timetable in the Act is interesting, especially if there's no deal by 21 January, but there doesn't seem to be any provision for a deal being rejected by the EU Parliament.

Funny how it's all talk about the UK parliament and the automatic assumption that the EU parliament will just wave it through

Oh look another stitch up consultation.

cries