Westminstenders: It's oh so quiet...

[RedToothBrush]

It's oh so quiet // It's oh so still // You're all alone // And so peaceful until

You ring the news // Bim bam // You shout and you yell // Hi ho ho // You broke the spell // Gee, this is swell you almost have a fit // Brexit is fab and I got hit // There's no mistake get on with it

'Til it's over and then // It's nice and quiet //
Shh shh // But soon again // Shh shh // Uh oh let's start a big riot

You blow a fuse // Zing boom // The devil cuts loose // Zing boom // What's the use
Wow bam // Of leaving the EU

It's gone quiet.

May was supposed to go on a tour of the EU to get concessions. She hasn't.

Instead we are currently stuck in an internal never ending debate about Alternative Arrangements (which is being abbreved too A. A. by less convinced souls) and how Germany got all the money from Marshall Aid (it didn't) and how navy ships can suddenly sprout front opening hulls to become roll on roll off ferries to emulate the spirit of Dunkirk. One of our greatest ever military defeats, which merely had good PR.

The idea that there is going to be any shift in position between now and 14th Feb seems unlikely. It suits the EU and it suits the ERG to be blunt about it. It does not suit the UK national interest though.

Instead our livihoods and futures are slowly drip, drip, dripping away. Invisible to those loved up on the idea of Leaving. But like a newly wed, how long does that feeling last? 42% of British marriages end in divorce after all. When do people fall out of love with Brexit?

The revelation of the need for the WAIB is scary too. The WAIB is the Withdrawal Agreement Implementation Bill. You can read more about it here:
threadreaderapp.com/thread/1091734003265224708.html
Well I say you can read about it, but from the thread you can see that the WAIB hasn't been published yet. And for us to Brexit without a legal and constitutional nightmare parliament needs to pass both the WA And the WAIB. And if you thought it was difficult to get the WA through just wait until you clap eyes on the WAIB details.

With this in mind there are noises from the ERG about an A50 extension. Y'know the one we can't have unless the EU think it's it their interests too.

mlexmarketinsight.com/insights-center/editors-picks/brexit/europe/the-uk-rips-out-its-eu-law-drip,-only-to-hook-up-to-another
More on the WAIB.

Of course there is a more sinister explanation: May does indeed intend to no deal and or use civil contingency law to pass the WAIB in whatever form she sees fit without parliamentary scrutiny.

Tick, tick, tick.

A friend told me today not to worry about brexit as "we survived before and we'll survive again". I didn't say much. My history lessons were rather grimmer in reminding me, that the ones who didn't survive don't get to be so optimistic.

To me he seems like someone who actually gives a shit about the people who are going to suffer because of the actions of those who orchestrated this mess, which is far more than I can say for most of those in power in our government right now.

Nobody in HoC gives two boots, they haven't worked together on a plan for two and a half years, only a PV, it's been all about them not the people. They won't vote through the WA either.

1tisILeClerc seems its changed.

m.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/brits-eu-mobile-phone-roaming-no-deal-brexit-government_uk_5c5b185be4b09293b20ab335/?__twitter_impression=true

Nobody in HoC gives two boots, they haven't worked together on a plan for two and a half years, only a PV, it's been all about them not the people. They won't vote through the WA either. I 100% agree with this.

Tm and the Tories have been building a narrative for after it all goes tits up, that it’s all the EUs fault. This is the clap back.

The best thing about it is, all the brexiteers have tweeted their disgust, only for loads of people to tweet back 'well show us your plan then'.

The more they complain about it the more it shines a spotlight on the truth of the statement. Brilliant.

Ah, it makes sense now Brex-ray specs!. Does anyone remember the decades old scam with X-ray specs where purchasers were told they would be able to see through clothes? Strangely no one ever asked for their money back .

Well.

Remain is not possible now. Revoke has never been on the cards.

So.

It's the WA or no deal crash out.

I can foresee the WA passing this time.

For the simple reason that the other option - no deal - is unthinkable to most sane folk (and I still think one or two sane MPs dont want to be lynched by their constituents after a chaotic no deal...)

Glad junker called out how utterly utterly shit the opposition has been too.

The WA is the slightly better option...

But only slightly.

The WA is TM kicking the can down the road so she can stand down for whichever eton educated fuckwit is ambitious stupid enough to pick it up.

At this stage - unbelievably - that could be bojo or gove.

Leavers are such sensitive souls, arent hey?

Whereas we remainers have had 2.5 years of being called traitors, elitist, snowflakes, bad losers...

Threats of violence towards female (never male....) MPs, national newspapers printing pics of public servants who they say are "betraying brexit".

Interesting.

Who will be accused of betraying the leavers next? Darwin?

🙄🤬

Salry sadly the clap doesn't just go away...

In other news - anyone see this about the Health Secretary and his 'advisors'?

This has at last made it very clear that they've washed their hands of it all and are moving on.

The thing that I really liked about his speech was that he has made it very clear where he puts the blame and it is not on the British as a whole, it is on those that have led us down this path and failed to take responsibility. Our leaders on all sides have failed in their duty of care to us and they should suffer consequences for this. Maybe it's because I have a bit of a migraine coming on, but I am really feeling a bit emotional about it. It's nice to feel seen.

Nick Boles received a death threat. It's Remainers who get threatened with violence. And yet we must appease Leavers in case they get more violent?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46810637

While you're here, Destiel, this is the response I got about Trussell Trust's Brexit stance:

"Brexit

Many of you will be conscious of the potential impacts of Brexit, especially on people who have needed, or may be close to needing, a food bank - research from the Joseph Roundtree Foundation suggests there’s a risk of price rises, falls in real wages and lower employment following Brexit.

We’re doing three things to try to prepare:

We’re calling on the government to lift the benefit freeze from April 2019 and to end the five week wait for a first Universal Credit payment to make sure everyone has enough money coming in to cover the essentials and create a future where no-one needs a food bank’s help. There must be additional protection and support in place to ensure people are not swept into poverty as Brexit unfolds.

We’re working hard to engage our corporate partners and investigate what supermarkets can do in the event of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit to secure food supplies for you – whether this be additional collections, direct deliveries to food banks, or another form of support.

We’re also looking at how we distribute food better between food banks to ensure supplies are evenly distributed and everyone can access emergency food.
We’ll keep you updated on all of these fronts ."

Can't help thinking that supermarkets may have more on their plates than organising additional collections and direct deliveries, but more cooperation/topping up between food banks can't be a bad thing.

Just saw this on the Guardian feed (I'm a bit behind I'm afraid so possibly already covered) Sammy Wilson, the DUP Brexit spokesman, said Tusk was a “devilish Euro maniac”

I rather like the sound of a devilish Euro manic. Sounds rather dashing, like the dandy highwayman.

I firmly believe that whatever happens the young will vote to re-join Europe in the future.

None of this mess is of their making and I'm glad the EU recognises that is the case.

Very true lonely. Very true.

They’ve had enough. It’s WA or nothing now, and the WA won’t be reopened.

Also, just in case anyone doesn’t know - please be aware that we don’t just have to approved the WA in parliament, but we also have io get the WA implementation bill through...

What’s the chances of that not becoming contentious?

I look forward up the vote to rejoin. It will save me having to implement the ‘move to Ireland’ plan, maybe. Though I might already have done it - depends on the timing.

SwedishEdith Yvette Cooper too

Thanks GD12
They should be OK during transition if the WA is passed though.

Hasenstien could they not get ahead of the curve and make a jokey plea to leavers - something like, 'Even if you aren't stockpiling, perhaps you could buy extra and donate it instead?'

I know exactly what you mean bigly.
I

Thanks hasenstein

I've e mailed our chair today and asked for Brexit planning to be added to our agenda.

I'm not really sure what I think of that answer tbh.

I've been out today signing up another local referral agency - I think people will need more options for obtaining vouchers post March...

I'm tired.

I'm just really, really tired.

It's been 2.5 years. Of leavers lies, posturing, threats, illegal activity....

My hope that the govt and our elected officials will act in the public good instead of their own is gone.

Yeah, if the WA is passed. Make no mistake, the WA is like a slow bleeding to death for the UK but its really only that or no deal now which is like a quick death.

Bigly yy with your post, I have lurked on these threads, as hold my hands up I haven’t really understood a lot of the political posturing/wrangling & these threads have helped improve my knowledge, what makes so sad & angry in equal measure today, is that it was Tusk who said what he did, rather than one of our own elected member of parliament, i truly cannot grasp that all these politicians are allowing this to happen, being held to ransom by the ERG/DUP who very very clearly have an agenda that is in no ones interest apart from their own.
I just feel so complete helpless & finding it so difficult to comprehend that no one will put a stop to this madness, it is like staring at the abyss & knowing that jumping will result in so much pain for so many.
Sorry this post probably doesn’t make much sense, but I just find it so hard to believe that a country & it’s elected parliament are being so willfully stupid.

Sorry this post probably doesn’t make much sense, but I just find it so hard to believe that a country & it’s elected parliament are being so willfully stupid. Your post makes perfect sense to me. It encapsulates how I feel.

dont we know where you are coming from.

I think that as big a group of MP's as possible should stand up and clearly explain to the British public what we are facing. MP's from all the Parties. The Party Leaders should join this and spell out that we are facing serious trouble. It is their national duty.

I don't think that the public truly understand.