Westminstenders: Pragmatism versus Purity

[RedToothBrush]

There is one question for the HoC in the next week and that's will you persue pragmatism or purity?

May looks as if she is being sidelined after a backbench withdrawal of support, the DUPs withdrawal of support and an omminous silence eminenating from the Cabinet.

Her speech on Thursday where she pitted the people against parliament has been her last mistake. She's now a danger to the country's stability and the safety of MPs.

The priority for the week is to pass the SI to change the UK exit date from 29th March to the EU's new terms.

After that, with May's deal stuffed due to lack of support and a Bercow ruling it looks like we are facing some sort of indicative free vote. This seems to be being supported by ministers in government regardless of leave or remain.

The prospect of a Tory Leader Election contest looms. It remains to seen if that can happen in the next three weeks with so much else at stake. But this is the Tory party.

The penny seems to be finally dropping about the reality of leaving the EU and how we leave the EU. A week before we were due to go. The incompetence of Parliament is laid bare in all its glorious full scale.

22/03/19
Such an extension excludes any re-opening of the Withdrawal Agreement. Any unilateral commitment, statement or other act by the United Kingdom should be compatible with the letter and the spirit of the Withdrawal Agreement.

www.consilium.europa.eu/media/38783/xt20006-en19-003.pdf

They won't re-open the WA. They will use the same water tight one they have now and will just add amendments as necessary.

Woman behind Brexit petition gets death threats as it passes 4 million

https://news.sky.com/story/woman-behind-brexit-petition-gets-death-threats-as-it-passes-4-million-11673447

"Who wants Brexit so much that they are prepared to kill for it?"
asks Margaret Georgiadou, 77, who started the petition.

DG Barnier is retiring - he might like some contract work ....

In line with some other sites, MN needs a "you owe me a new keyboard" emoji ...

DG 😂
Have this instead:

Hadn't Barnier wanted to put himself forward for either Tusk's or Juncker's role (can't remember which) after the forthcoming EP elections, but because Brexit is taking sooooo long and the UK is being so inept he has done the honourable thing and chosen to assume that he will be doing the Brexit negotiations for much longer than he anticipated, therefore won't consider any other role?

Something that would be inconceivable to the English shower of self-serving politicians

Even the BBC are having to use the "million" word now ...

I suppose the problem with the enquiry into the ref mentioned above is that Leavers will go apeshit, saying its just the elite trying to box them in again?

So proud that so many people marched today; at least those outside the UK can see that we are not all lemmings. Also pretty sure that there must be 10 x as many who marched who were unable to do so for whatever reason.

I suppose the problem with the enquiry into the ref mentioned above is that Leavers will go apeshit, saying its just the elite trying to box them in again?

Not if it never happens ....

Shamelessly placemarking

pretty Barnier wanted to be Juncker's successor as EU Commission President - he came 2nd to Juncker back in 2014

However, he had to choose between that & finishing the Brexit negotiations,
which have long past their original planned June 2018 finish date - entirely due to UK chaos, incompetence & arrogance

Now it looks like Manfred Weber, the leader of the centre-right EPP grouping, will take over when Junker retires
BUT he's not everyone's cup of tea - a bit aggressive, imo

Barnier is a charmer, but knows his stuff and has some very good idea for the future of the EU
then there were some rumours floating back in November ......

Brexit deal gives Barnier platform for Commission presidency

https://www.politico.eu/article/michel-barnier-spitzenkandidat-europea-commission-president-brexit-deal/

Chief negotiator isn’t officially in the race for top EU job — but he could still end up winning.

Had a FANTASTIC time at the march.
Now chilling.
Speeches were dull as dishwater but the crowds were lovely.
Chants of “where’s Jeremy Corbyn” will not hit the press

Back to prepping for no deal
I set the odds of no deal at 80%

'Hope dies last': fatalism among EU leaders as no-deal Brexit looks likely

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/mar/22/brexit-uk-has-chance-to-rethink-the-whole-thing-say-eu-leaders

Senior EU officials say after latest talks with Theresa May that likelihood of no-deal outcome is ‘very, very real’

The EU increasingly believes a no-deal Brexit on 12 April is the most likely outcome, senior EU officials have said,
prompting Emmanuel Macron to privately ask the Irish prime minister if his country could cope < he said yes >
....
Tusk signalled the lack of belief among the leaders that a no deal would be avoided.
“The fate of Brexit is in the hands of our British friends,” Tusk said. “We are, as the EU, prepared for the worst, but hope for the best. As you know, hope dies last.”

Senior EU officials said that after listening to Theresa Mayy^ on Thursday afternoon, the 27 leaders were convinced that “a no-deal situation is an absolute very, very real one”.
“It is unfortunately, likely,"

Brilliant, TiP 💐

I couldn’t make it because of work.

mobile.twitter.com/BBCPolitics/status/1109502078005714945

Thought this video was good to see turnout.

Pmk

@BigChocFrenzy - prompting Emmanuel Macron to privately ask the Irish prime minister if his country could cope

The Guardian always refer to the Taoiseach as the Irish Prime Minister. It really pisses me off and is indicative of the UK establishment attitude towards Ireland. They manage to give the German Chancellor her correct title but can't manage it for the Irish.

Equally, British TV and politicians never make an effort to figure out how to pronounce Irish names correctly but will twist themselves in knots to get names from other countries correct. Charles Haughley being a case in point. He was always referred to as Charles Hockey.

sister

That twitter clip is amazing. Obviously not as impressive as Farages March with 80 people on it

talk and everyone else marching. Thanks so much, just wish I could have gone (too far and childcare issues).

Back to prepping for no deal
I set the odds of no deal at 80%

I really hope you are wrong.

US to prioritise an EU deal over a UK deal post brexit. Also, cross-party support in the US to protect the GFA and the peace process.

www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2019/0322/1038060-brexit-senator/

doIreallyneedto Yes, I always say"Taoiseach", but I don't change quotes
I could add it in brackets next time if it is really irritating

Just got home - the march was AMAZING. I was there as part of a group of 18 friends (originally supposed to be 22). Definitely more than a million people, and wow what an experience!!! BTW I looked for red toothbrushes but unfortunately couldn't find any of you.

@BigChocFrenzy - but I don't change quotes

Absolutely. I wouldn't either. It was the Guardian etc I was getting at, not you. It was clear that you were quoting.

EU leaders ditched their planned response to Britain’s request for an extension

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-22/lonely-dinner-gives-may-some-brexit-breathing-space

the conclusion was that even May herself didn’t think her Brexit deal would be approved by the U.K. Parliament next week.
Even worse, she was ready to crash Britain out of the bloc on March 29 anyway
– and blame others < esp. the EU > for the impending economic catastrophe
.....
Their original idea had been to try to help May win the vote by making a Brexit delay conditional on the deal being approved.

It would also leave open the option of a high-stakes summit hours before the U.K.’s scheduled departure.

Indeed, the plan had been written up overnight by EU officials
and was contained in sealed envelopes in front of each of the 27 premiers.

Back home safe :)

Met up with lala which was fab.

I'm sure it's been said before, the will of the people and all... but why does no one in govt have any interest in the 48% (of those who voted) who didnt want to leave?

I also think it's pointing to No Deal as "revoke" would tear the Conservative Party apart. In a No Deal situation, the Tory can just blame Labour, EU, Corbyn etc.

The arrogance of some British politicians and British people is staggering. For example,
DUP Donaldson calls for Republic of Ireland to join to Commonwealth FFS

The silver lining is that I thought there would be a big Tory Majority from the last election. So maybe we get a BINO without the opt outs, influence and vetoes. Maybe that's what we deserve.