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Brexit

Westminstenders: What The Hell Happens Next?!

996 replies

RedToothBrush · 09/01/2019 14:14

John Bercow has just spent over at an hour dealing with a Points of Order, in which he has argued that he is defending the soverignty of the House of Commons and that is his duty, not to simply to be a cheerleader for the executive.

Taking back control seems to have rather upset ERG Brexiteers.

As Jess Phillips astutely pointed out:
"People only care about procedures, and protecting and conserving the procedures, when they don't like the outcome of the thing that is about to happen and never when it is going in their favour."

And given what we have seen the Executive do over the last few months in terms of trying to use procedure for its own political gain, this is quite a fair point.

There are however certain constitutional questions this is all raising. And we have a very real constitutional crisis here.

Bercow has ruled that he CAN allow an amendment (because the previous vote had prevented only a motion and a debate) put forward by Grieve to go to a vote.

This amendment would - if it is passed by the house - require May to report to the house within 3 days if the WA fails to pass next week.

This would be a significant victory, if it passed because at present the position is where May can delay reporting back to the house until it start to get to the point where politically the opposition can't influence things, and a 'meaningful vote' will in practice be more like a gun to the head by the Executive, rather than the House of Commons acting in a sovereign manner and being free to make its own decisions rather than be forced into a corner by Parliamentary Procedure and the politicking of Parliamentary Procedure to undermine the independence of the HoC.

Allowing more time for the opposition to hold the government to account, does not necessarily change anything. It just means the executive can not just run down the clock in the way it perhaps has been intending.

The HoC could of course, vote against the amendment.

The WA is to come to the HoC next week.

And we have no idea what the hell is going to happen next.

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Grinchly · 09/01/2019 14:16

Thanks as ever RTB.

DGRossetti · 09/01/2019 14:16

.

RedToothBrush · 09/01/2019 14:16

And I've done the post above in an amazing rush, so I hope its bloody accurate!!!!

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DGRossetti · 09/01/2019 14:17

Incidentally, I suspect the Grieve amendment is predicated on the WA vote. If that never happens, neither does Grieve ?

MissMalice · 09/01/2019 14:18

Place Mat King. Just had a little laugh to myself at the idea of takin back control. Just who did the voters think would be in control?

RedToothBrush · 09/01/2019 14:18

Labour Whips @labourwhips
MPs are now voting on an amendment to the supplementary business of the House motion which would ensure the PM had to come back within 3 sitting days in the event of a defeat on her deal and allow MPs a meaningful say on next steps - result circa 1420

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Motheroffourdragons · 09/01/2019 14:18

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bellinisurge · 09/01/2019 14:18

There's only so many spoonfuls of peanut butter that me (and Theresa May) can stomach.

Grinchly · 09/01/2019 14:18

RTB - I may be wrong, but I think the astute comment was Luciana Berger rather Than Jess Phillips but it doesn't matter. Fab summaryThanks

TokyoSushi · 09/01/2019 14:19

PMK - What a day, again!

RedToothBrush · 09/01/2019 14:20

If that never happens, neither does Grieve ?

Correct. Bercow also pointed out that a statute could overrule an amendment. But this would be firmly into the realms of 'dictorship' rather than parliamentary democracy. Thus a big fucking deal.

But yes, you do have to wonder how May will respond to this, and whether it will be via parliamentary procedure to duck the issue or whether she will indeed face parliament.

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Motheroffourdragons · 09/01/2019 14:20

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WonderWoman2019 · 09/01/2019 14:21
Brew
RedToothBrush · 09/01/2019 14:21

Harry Cole @MrHarryCole
Some members of the government looking for a silver lining. Say Bercow behaviour today “must be a wake up call to those sitting on their hands waiting for no deal. He will literally make up the rules to thwart them.”

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1tisILeClerc · 09/01/2019 14:21

{And I've done the post above in an amazing rush, so I hope its bloody accurate!!!!}
I wouldn't worry. The people supposedly running the country have less idea.
Thanks!!

DGRossetti · 09/01/2019 14:22

But yes, you do have to wonder how May will respond to this, and whether it will be via parliamentary procedure to duck the issue or whether she will indeed face parliament.

I don't wonder. It is pretty much an article of faith in the Rossetti noggin that the WA will not be put to a vote. (Thus rendering the shenanigans today a waste of effort).

RedToothBrush · 09/01/2019 14:22

Harry Cole @MrHarryCole
Tory MPs circulating EDM of No Confidence in the Speaker. Didn’t work last time.... but times have changed....

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RedToothBrush · 09/01/2019 14:23

DGR I'm not at the point of Article of Faith on that yet....

... give me till the end of the week.

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Grinchly · 09/01/2019 14:24

I thought Bercow was magnificent. Hope to god he isn't removed.

RedToothBrush · 09/01/2019 14:26

PARLY @ParlyApp
This vote is taking longer than usual. No sign of either set of tellers

Dead heat?

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Grinchly · 09/01/2019 14:26

Here we go - 308 to 297 !!!!!!!!

RedToothBrush · 09/01/2019 14:26

It passes

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1tisILeClerc · 09/01/2019 14:27

We need more pictures of cats to steady our nerves. I think the one of the tabby 'reclining' (posted by DGR?) should be updated to one of a cat skeleton with the caption 'still waiting to find out what a Brexit is'.

MissMalice · 09/01/2019 14:28

Will she now pull the vote rendering Grieve useless.

Motheroffourdragons · 09/01/2019 14:28

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