Westminstenders: Waiting for Sanity

[RedToothBrush]

We could be waiting a long time, but that's what we have to wait for as that's what the EU is waiting for.

The EU has requested we expand on our plans for 'alternative arrangements' with regard to the backstop.

We need to do so before the next HoC vote on 14th Feb. The EU see no point in shifting their position before than. And the UK will struggle to provide the info the EU want before then. So there is now some doubt as to whether the vote will go ahead as planned.

About a third of the Cabinet now believe that Brexit will have to be delayed due to legislation not being ready for exit date. However we don't have power over this and we might still exit without it.

There is no Brexit related business next week in the HoC to prevent pesky amendments. The recess has been cancelled but MPs have been told its OK to go on their ski holidays so it's just a PR stunt.

Meanwhile No Deal is in full effect as businesses trigger their exit strategy in the absence of certainty. No Deal is reality for many even if we do have a last minute deal...

We are all about to get poorer. As that's what we voted for.

@colouringpro I do not know if it is an option for you, but crafting can help with stress. Since Brexshit started I have made countless throws, cushions, etc. I stitch, knit and crochet like a maniac recently.

I heard an ex manager of the Nissan plant being interviewed a week or so ago. His prediction was that, as new investment in plants was planned 6 or 7 years in advance, UK plants would appear to continue as normal for now and the real effects of Brexit would only be seen in another 3 or 4 years when the decisions made post Referendum come to fruition.

{So presumably people like Rees-Mogg can NEVER be rich enough?}
It is more like an odd form of gambling addiction.
Once you have a couple of nice houses and material 'stuff' it becomes more like the thrill of betting rather than a 'job'.
The 'average Joe or Josephine' may handle about 1 - 2 Million over a whole working life and can be quite comfortable at that. Once you are into 'multiples' of this your outlook changes and alters your mentality, to know you can wander into a shop and effectively buy the shop if the fancy takes you. While I can see some need for stockmarkets and other 'financial chicanery' there is a point early on where morals go out of the window and people become a number on column 5 of a spreadsheet.

...by which point, the Brexiters will no doubt claim that it has nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit

Whizzing along the M40 (not driving!) and some bellend has erected a massive sign in all-caps, saying 'LEAVE MEANS LEAVE! NO DEAL NO PROBLEM!'

As you can imagine, I am totally reassured by such a well-reasoned argument

{UK plants would appear to continue as normal for now and the real effects of Brexit would only be seen in another 3 or 4 years when the decisions made post Referendum come to fruition.}
I believe there are agreements that would allow other countries to 'sue' the British government where trading conditions are radically altered (say by leaving the EU and resultant tariff barriers) so there may be considerable leverage from outside on the basis that the UK coughs up or a plant gets closed and all the workers end up unemployed 'instantly'.

I saw that sign on the M40 when travelling to visit family on Xmas Day, it destroyed my Xmas spirit for a while.

Heard on the news earlier that Liam fucking Fox has been saying it would be 'irresponsible' of the EU and Ireland not to renegotiate the backstop

How much of it is pig-headedness, how much is playing to the swivel-eyed-loon Tory right and how much is he genuinely ignorant of how these things work?

Part of the family?
Well I suppose it's an adequate description of a child (ROI) to narcissistic parents (Westminster). I use Westminster pointedly there.

I wonder if John Humphrys started that petition

Week in Review: A quick reminder that Chris Grayling is the worst person in a terrible government

politics.co.uk/blogs/2019/02/01/week-in-review-a-quick-reminder-that-chris-grayling-is-the-w

pretty You've sussed him ! 😂

Spotted in Stevenage

The EU-Japan FTA brought tariffs on cars down from 10 to 9,2% this year
but won't be completely tariff-free until 2032

So there will be several year for U-produced cars, in which prices could be a few % lower and / or profits a few % higher

UK-produced

I am increasingly gobsmacked at the antics of our government. It would almost be amusing, were it not for the fact that we seem to be edging perilously close to squeaky bum time.

ElenadeClermont - I agree. Over the last couple of weeks I've started knitting a great big blanket for DD's bed. I reckon it should be useful if heating bills go up and /or we can't afford as many presents next Christmas. On the down side, I've just realised how many stitches will be in said blanket... still, it will keep me busy & hopefully distract me from whatever crap is going on.

Re crafting - I've done so much more for Woolly Hugs since all this started! It's calming and feels like I'm doing something productive and beneficial for others all at once.

colouring I get it I have been using rescue remedy (from the alternative health area in chemists shops) a lot.

Also knitting helps, as suggested by others. If you use huge needles and very thick wool (I think this must be the “in thing” as these are available everywhere at the moment), then blankets can get knitted at a pleasing speed which feels like real progress when everything else is stuck in Groundhog Day.

Somebody asked up thread why the opposition parties are not making capital out of the current situation

LibDems : Vince is just utterly past it. They need a new leader with some fire in their belly PDQ.

Labour : Corbyn wants Brexit and is using Momentum to deselect anybody who disagrees with him. Therefore the party is lurching to the left leaving a huge dead zone in the centre.

FPTP is no longer fit for purpose in this country.
I have no idea how we get from where we are to where we need to be.

My mum knits really well.

So we will be ok for jumpers, blankets etc.

On the Brexit threads I'm seeing more and more familiar usernames that I recall from 2016, back to gee up any waverers.

I'm quite amazed that they feel the need to - definitely speaks of getting riled and rattled - when according to all True BeLeavers, they predicted everything that would happen since, nobody who voted Leave has doubted for even a microsecond, millions of Remain voters have seen the True Light, and if they ever acknowledge the possibility of another referendum are absolutely certain that No Deal Leave would win with the bigliest majority.

Why do you think stay would now win I’m intrested in this gem of knowledge.

I've noticed that too Element. I'd welcome them back, but I don't feel very welcoming towards them.

Maryjoyce
Why do you think stay would now win I’m intrested in this gem of knowledge.
Demographics
well recorded by multiple outlets since just after the vote