Westminstenders: Stuck in the Middle With TIGGERS

[RedToothBrush]

Well I don't know how we got here tonight.
We've got the feeling that something ain't right.
We're so scared as we leave the EU
And we're wondering how we'll get out of this stew

Antisemites to the left of me!
Dog Whistles to the right!
Here I am stuck in the middle whilst we leave the EU.

'Cause I'm stuck in the middle whilst we leave the EU.
And I'm wondering what it is we should do.
It's so hard to keep this smile from my face.
Losing control and running all over the place.

Clowns to the left of me!
Jokers to the right!
Here I am stuck in the middle whilst we leave the EU.

When you started off with rights
And you're starting to wonder if thats for life.
And all the politicians come crawling
Slap you on the back and say
Please . . .
Please . . .
Vote Leave and back EU Withdrawal

But we see it makes no sense at all.

Best to keep your money offshore
Than to visit the bookstore

Deniers to the left of me!
Islamaphobes to the right!
Here I am stuck in the middle with you.

Its finally happened. FINALLY.

MPs have seen that their leaders have lost the plot and are hell bent on destruction and politicial ideology ahead of practicality and will justify the unjustifable in the face of democracy and they have jumped ship.

Enter stage left and stage right: The TIGGERS - members of The Independent Group.

Will there be more. Hard to say no. It seems almost certain there will be more.

Will it make a difference? Difficult to call, but these MPs would be driven out sooner or later. Such is our accelerating politicial polarisation and narrowing of views. This is their last stand. They have nothing left to lose on a personal level.

Whether you agree with the TIGGERS or still look to the other parties for policy, I do think that the emergence of the TIGGERS marks a feeling of optimism and much needed hope for many many Remainers / Moderates, even if it ultimately does fizzle out.

A reflection from 2017: People voted for Corbyn because they were looking for Hope. When he's failed to deliver that, its led to disillusionment and he can not pull the same trick again at a future GE. This makes that doubly so. People are STILL very much looking for that hope. If Brexit does go tits up in a big fashion, then what happens? To what direction do people look? I'm sure there will be the bitterest of recriminations, but... hope is a big deal. We need something...

Tick tick tick. 37 days til Brexit.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/eu_referendum_2016_/3492426-Westministenders-Abbreviation

Thanks Red!

It's bigger with TIGGER ?
TIGGER figures ?

Actually the more I write that acronym, the more dangerous it sounds. I'm sure Elvis Costello would know what I mean ?

37 days! Oh my. How time flies.

Thanks for the new thread. I've never really said Hi before, but I'm a long time lurker on these threads, it's where I get my best up to date political commentary (apart from Brexitcast)

From previous thread to reiterate my comment there

Heidi Allen's speech was brilliant. If they do become a party I think she might make a good leader.

I agree.. but I doubt Chukka would allow that! They're talking on the BBC of Chukka being the 'de facto leader' now.

I thought Anna Soubry's speech sounded very much like the beginning introduction of a new party...

Thanks Red

Also from previous thread:

I'm actually finding these three more inspiring than the labour tiggers.

I agree. I must admit I was a bit disappointed that the Labour Tiggers were all about bullying and anti semitism in their party. What a sad state of affairs. I assumed the breakout group would be prompted by the shambles that TM and the opposition have made of Brexit... so I was saddened to hear that the labour defectors were so unhappy.

The Tory Tiggers - are full of optimism.

Would you trust this man... er tiger... with national security?
Would you trust this tiger with the economy?
Would you trust this tiger with your child's education?

Actually he does look a bit shifty doesn't he?

Yes, for me the major downside of this is Chuka. He's a snake.

Thanks Red. Bloody love Gerry Rafferty BTW.

Thanks also DGRosetti for running with my post about emailing my MP to say they will have my support if they join the TIGGERS and posting a great message. Hadn't actually sent my email yet so I'm going to borrow from yours!

If we all did this, and especially if we have an MP who might be persuaded to jump ship, then who knows?

Honestly we don't know how its going to go, but on the whole I view it as positive and a bit of hope regardless of how Brexshit goes, because there will be a desire for an outlet looking for alternatives and hope when things take a turn for the worst. And if there isn't a sensible looking party then its going to be channelled into ever more extreme parties and positions.

Tobias Ellwood MP @Tobias_Ellwood
^Questions for my Party to consider with loss of 3 colleagues whose departure means our profile moves a notch to the right.
Below shows hill we face in appealing to the next generation to secure an election win. We must retain a wide appeal and be tolerant of a spectrum of views^

Yes, for me the major downside of this is Chuka. He's a snake.
See I did think this. But now I think he's standing up for what he believes in. We need someone with a vision for something different who can lead. Sadly those qualities often also come with certain other lessdesirable features such as snake tendencies
I would love a female leader but actually maybe no leader but a coalition would be even better.
LOVED what Soubry said about the coalition. I'm a LD member but I might leave for this. Would be totally behind a merger/collaboration of TIG and LDs

,

My MP is Liam Fox. How likely is he to join the Tiggers I wonder?

Would be totally behind a merger/collaboration of TIG and LDs

No. Just no.

If individuals want to join something new, yes. But otherwise no. LDs are toxic on several issues.

No point writing my mp. He's a brexiteer.

If we all did this, and especially if we have an MP who might be persuaded to jump ship, then who knows?

Unfortunately my MP is a horrible angry misogynistic Tory, who I had to ask to stop emailing me in the past when his email rantings became offensive. My only regret is that I didn't know about Twitter at the time so I didn't publicise what an utter dick he was.

Actually maybe I will email him in the hope of provoking another inappropriate rant, which I can then use against him!!

Who is Kanga then ?
And Roo ?

Yes, for me the major downside of this is Chuka. He's a snake.

If it isn't an old saying, it should be: I cannot afford to discard a tool because I don't like the design . If the job Chuka is doing is done well
...
Pretty certain Mrs T. lived by that - she put up with people she couldn't stand, but who were damn good that their jobs. It's one of the marks of a great leader, really.

^Jefferson built the idea of American Liberalism by using conviction and belief and passion.

If you look at the LDs and wonder why they are getting precisely no where, its a lot to do with a total lack of this.^ I've been a lifelong Liberal/LibDem supporter but I've lost faith, finally for exactly this reason. And I think the LibDems have probably lost faith in themselves. If the Tiggers form a party, I hope they keep it separate and distinctive - but they are going to need to hammer out some sort of plan/policies fairly soon. I thought Heidi Allen was brilliant too.

As an ex LD member and supporter (ex for reasons of misogyny, anti-science and their refusal to take down their disgusting LGBTQ+ Twitter account), I would be very disappointed if the new group entertained any thoughts of a merger with the LDs (or even a touch with a bargepole). There are some OK LDs, they need to jump ship too.

Do TIGgers like foxes. I know they are not keen on haycorns.

A reflection from 2017: People voted for Corbyn because they were looking for Hope.

I think you could probably argue that for many of the Leave voters in 2016 - two definite categories would be those hit by austerity and feeling ignored, and those wanting more for the NHS.

Not the out and out racists, and not the smug southern England elderly Tories.

Would be totally behind a merger/collaboration of TIG and LDs

parties are in large part the reason we've got where we are. I would much rather have an independent MP I know will fight for my corner of the world, than a party parrot who will spout on about it, and then fuck off when their parties policies fuck me over.

Case in hand is the dreadful Gisela Stuart, who was dumb enough to try and crowbar her name into the headlines when the local post office shut protesting outside. She was there 3 minutes before someone asked why she had voted for the policy which was closing the post office.

I think the TIG are striking the right note by not immediately setting up a party or anything.

The thing that TM is resisting at the moment is indicative votes on brexit. (Well one of them). Because she doesn't want the divisions in her party exposed. It's all about party before country for both parties.

The tiggers are saying they will vote for what they think is best for the country. That it's between them, their morals and their constituents.

And I think a lot of people will like that after the last few years.