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.

At least it would speed things up.

DH thinks we should take a break from it, and he kind of is. I had to tell DS not to worry if he heard us shouting the other day (amendments), we were only shouting at the television because of Brexit. He said 'I know, Mammy'.

And we're in Ireland, though we're worried sick about the north, and friends and relatives in the UK.
And we're angry. Our anger has made us think other people must be very angry indeed.

I read this in the Telegraph online yesterday. Any likelihood the EU would take any notice of this?

"A group of top German economists has told the EU to tear up the Irish backstop and ditch its ideological demands in Brexit talks, calling instead for a flexible Europe of concentric circles that preserves friendly ties with the UK.

Brussels must “abandon its indivisibility dogma” on the EU’s four freedoms and come up with a creative formula or risk a disastrous showdown with London that could all too easily spin out of control.

A joint report by the influential Ifo Institute and universities across Germany and Europe warned that Brussels may be deluding itself in thinking that the EU has the upper hand in all respects or that the British will inevitably capitulate before March 29."

I think Steve Peers on Twitter was saying those German economists were working with the idea of the EU as it was pre Lisbon?

{"A group of top German economists has told the EU to tear up the Irish backstop and ditch its ideological demands in Brexit talks, calling instead for a flexible Europe of concentric circles that preserves friendly ties with the UK.}
It was mooted quite a few years ago but IIRC the UK was one of the countries that 'poo pooed' the idea partly because it wanted to be on the top table but didn't want to commit properly.

DH thinks we should take a break from it, and he kind of is

Few men have ever experienced this before. Fewer admit the political impotence that this situation leads one to.

We, women, have no choice but to be watchful.

So sorry what the English are doing to he GFA and our precious peace, Apileofballyhoo

ROI media and politicians are my reference point for an intelligent commentary on what is happening.

Girlsblouse The Telegraph is sadly brexit delusion central
They trawl through the EU desperately looking for any statement or report that makes it sound like the UK is not flushing itself down the toilet

They'll present the equivalent of Lord Buckethead as opinion leaders in their country

Polls in Germany and public attitudes here (I live in Germany) are totally against making concessions to the UK
Several E27 heads of govt have spoken out against it.
The European Parliament have said they will refuse to pass any WA without the backstop.

The options are No Deal vs WA with backstop
Not choosing in time means it's automatically No Deal

Post hoc ergo proctor hoc.

Problem is, all along the UK politicians have insisted that the EU doesn't mean what it says
because Westminster never means what it says

They were wrong
Like 'em or not, the EU has been consistent - and open - all along.

^Westminster - like Cameron - can't face up to how wrong they've got it
but unlike Cameron, they can't all run away

So they keep hiding, under delusion after delusion^

It's all just displacement activity, to avoid facing up to the only choices left,
which are not the choices they expected they'd be reduced to

That MSNBC video really highlights the bonkers ness of the situation.

Here's Steve's tweet on the German economists: twitter.com/StevePeers/status/1091372573936545793

The Telegraph is sadly brexit delusion central

This is very true. Very.

For the four freedoms to suddenly become divisible would require a treaty change. Which needs all EU member states to agree.

I agree with pp.

I'd love to ignore all this.

But I have kids. I have people who rely on me. It's not an option.

Queen I am in the same boat as your DH - Dutch national, UK license, Dutch passport. So can I not drive in my own sodding country when I want to go on holiday? And I don't have a DH to do my driving for me - I'm a single parent.

Brexit, biggest pile of fuckery ever.

I've been embarrassed to be British (English!) for a while now but my community is being completely amazing today...

Lots of people out helping push cars up hills

Farmers out in tractors towing HGVs and attaching snow ploughs to try and clear the main roads

People out with hot drinks, biscuits, etc for people at a standstill in traffic

Some of us with 4x4s are taking carers and community nurses out to see patients tonight and tomorrow

Others out in 4x4s with tow ropes and hot chocolate

Some of us starting to offer places to stay for stranded motorists

How one person manages to write so much rubbish daily is beyond me however I guess a reporter of some kind.

Queen, this is the Green card thing:

www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/auto-motor/uk-motorists-face-green-card-uturn-in-nodeal-brexit-112170.aspx

There was discussion about it on this thread a few threads ago - I think some insurers will produce one if you need it now; others are not set up for it. I was going to phone and see what response I got from my existing insurer.

That's a nice positive post Umpteen :)

@Lico - I thinks it's been established Raab know NOTHING

Umpteen the same things here for the last 3 days but it’s not unusual at times like this so I’m surprised it is where you are

I'd love to ignore all this

But I have kids. I have people who rely on me. It's not an option

I've seen how well informed and helpful you are BIgChocFrenzy but believe us, we know how despised this country is now, and we know how dangerous that makes things for us and our kids.

They trawl through the EU desperately looking for any statement or report that makes it sound like the UK is not flushing itself down the toilet

We do know.

Imagine if people like us weren't trying to counter the Nazis in Germany last time.

The liberal Germany you live in now as you've explained, would not exist.

Or if the British public service workers and socialists hadn't created the welfare state you have benefited from as you've talked about in your posts, your life might have been a little different.

That is us here, now.

We know what we are dealing with.

I am not sure you do.

Or how hard it is to daily face down corruption, racism, totalitarianism, gas lighting and plain lying in our media and on our streets.

I would also caution you about scaring us about impending terrorism.

Not one mum on these threads doesn't feel in her bones the terror of this being a war situation.

Because we are women.

Because many of us are mothers.

Because of male economic and political structures.

Because of this odd english culture.

Because of 'brexit'.

We are trapped here.

As so many women have said.

Because the men are not hearing.

Conservatives tend to think that their luck in life is their own.

It's usually built on the shoulders of socialists, the welfare state and women.

The reason I know things are very very dangerous right now?

The lovely, pacific inspiring David Lammy is fucking furious with labour pimps like Field and Flint.

He is absolutely going for it against them as is Umunna.

The situation is beyond dangerous.

We know it.

@Maryjoyce This is our first winter in this area...this kind of thing is unheard of everywhere else I've lived!

I am so torn

One of my passports is British : the definition of dysfunctional government
The other is American : the other definition of the same

Thanks umpteen there are a Lot of very good people out there and it's good to remember that.

I'm interested in the divide in attitudes by sex. I read recently that women were far more likely to vote Remain than men. Will try and find it...

But yes, I'm looking g out for my family - my kids who both have special needs, my frail parents who I think should stock on some food for my email who has a very limited diet due to illness, but I don't want to share them.

I need medication, even more so does my ex with Bipolar. But beyond our family, I'm so fearful for the vulnerable in our country.

*dm not email!