Westminstenders: Dear Santa for Christmas I'd like...

[RedToothBrush]

The ERG to be the grinch that stole the Tory Party Christmas who ultimately get what they deserve.

To remain in the EU

Donald Trump's impeachment

For politics to be boring again

A trex toy for my son

Russia is already preparing for a scrap with Ukraine

There's something faintly reassuring that there's a subtle "we're too busy for Brexit right now" vibe around in the EU. Which rather strengthens, not weakens their hand. Imagine having to explain to President Trump and the American people that you can't give 100% of your attention to the problem because of Brexit ....

ERG /DUP plan is to waste another month on a GE, to wind down the clock to No Deal.

Disaster capitalists & fascists R us
Then it's loot, loot for the disaster capitalists

It'll be like when the vultures descended on Russia in the 90s, but Britain has a much bigger economy than Russia,
so far more loot to be had.

Polls show the other Tory candidates are far more unpopular than she is, so she would be their best chance if the DUP fascists force a GE

Most likely result is another hung Parliament, but hoepfully without the DUP fascists holding the balance of power
Maybe Labour-SNP ?

If May wins this vote and then a GE if forced,
I'd expect her to stick it out until 29 March / after a PV if she calls one

• If we end up with Remain or her WA, she'd resign right after, saying she's done her job
• If it's a No Deal, she'd probably hang on for the first year, to sort out the food & meds and take the flak, then resign for another Tory to take over.

Why people don't get this

having travelled, and knowing people from all over the world, the English contrived ignorance over politics is remarkable.

It's what comes of generally being fed, clothed, and kept safe from harm. The rusting sword of the successful ruler.

Indeed^

PMK.

Facing today with trepidation. to all my fellow travellers.

It actually helps to feel there is a big circle of all of you out there.

LeClerc Don't worry about new thread

• red & I agreed she'll contact me whenever it looks like she can't start new ones.

PMK - lurking from NZ, need a placemark to find you all when I wake up stressed about this in the middle of the night / early hours.

{It's what comes of generally being fed, clothed, and kept safe from harm}
Absolutely. Although it wasn't a subject of discussion in my travels, there are many countries that have no social provision. You find yourself work to eat and put a roof of some sort over your head. No pension. Any problems and it is down to family and friends to sort you out.
None of this 'down to the DHSS because my TV is broken'.
And the weirdest thing is that people in these situations with hardly anything are often the most generous and will share what little they have as a matter of principle/pride.

BCF
If that was the only worry we had it would be fantastic.

Hello @libertyonhertravels .

Theres crisps, chocolate, mince pies, hot chocolate, oranges, coffee, selection of herbal teas. Might bake later.

£1 = €1.11 = $1.25
Not dramatic there yet, but expect a sharp fall if May is toppled
because the markets, like most of us, expect it would increase the likelihood of a hard Brexiter PM and No Deal

I'd love it if Ken Clarke or Anna Soubry had a realistic chance, but they don't
It will be a case of trying to avoid any ERG candidate reaching the last 2 and the headbanging party membership vote

and I have absoluitely NO confidence in lifelong Brexiter Corbyn coming to the rescue

PMK

There is an upside though. Thanks to the astonishing shambolic incompetence of Brexiteers, they are all going to waste their energy on disparate strategies, briefings and communications (note the absence of ideas )

At least May only has to cling on - and can devote 100% to that.

I'll call it now - she won't lose ("win" is a bit optimistic).

Tim Shipman@ShippersUnbound

Downing Street sources pointing out that polls suggest May has broader support than her opponents

DG I also think she is more likely to win, but I won't bet more than a 🧁 on it

@Hazardswan floundering wildly with snacks is as good an idea as any

I don't think she'll get voted out today, not when it comes down to it.

This is a great and terrifying twitter thread.

twitter.com/redhistorian/status/1072792097944670208?s=19

In our straw poll I'm in the stay camp.

If the strength of feeling against her was strong enough, the 48 letter threshold would have been easier to reach.

Hope JRM then does the decent thing, assuming the ERG do lose.

Interesting that a Tory leader needs 50% of the electorates vote, but a Tory MP can sail into parliament on well under 50% of their constituents vote.

I might dedicate my twilight years to trying to introduce sortition to the UK.

@lonelyplanetmum

meaning what re: JRM "doing the decent thing?" Do you mean resign as an MP? He's hardly likely to do that IMO. He can't resign from a cabinet or ministerial post coz he doesn't have one. Not sure what you want from him?

Maybe if RTB could delegate the responsibility of new threads to someone.

Already well in hand. As BigChoc says she's keeping an eye for me. Westminstenders believes in planning after all! Though I don't anticipate it going crazy until this evening tbh.

It's limbo this afternoon for the most part. Nothing can happen until after the vote. Lots of speculation but not much actually happening.