Westminstenders: For Whom the Bell Tolls

[RedToothBrush]

Although another round of Indicative Votes is scheduled, arguably the chance for a soft Brexit has gone for two reasons.

Parliament was unable to show a majority because those on the opposition benches were too busy saying 'I want this but only on these terms' or still being too unwilling to compromise. Thus the opportunity and point for a third round starts to look weak.

The second is that Tory MPs were resolute in an opposition to a soft Brexit.

Unless May decides to be the next Robert Peel and go for a soft Brexit on the back of opposition vote its not going to happen.

This leaves May's deal as it stands or no deal.

May seems to have actually lost a few supporters of her deal since Friday, and given the performance of the opposition tonight and the prospect of round 3 of indicative votes they will still be unwilling to go for May's deal.

Which leaves no deal.

There is talk of a managed no deal. There is no such thing. The EU plan for that is essentially to push us into the deal in order to get a trading relationship.

And that will push us closer to the us. Which is what many torys want. And what polling seems to suggest they will have surprising support for.

Sorry folks but it don't look great tonight.

The opposition benches may look back on tonight and think they screwed it. I hope I'm wrong. But I fear tonight might have sealed our fate.

Tomorrow may has a 5hr cabinet. And a secret document dmfor the cabinet to study first.

It's going to get bumpy from here on in...

The EU will not allow any sort of extension without participation in the elections.

If she can’t decide with Corbyn, it’s up to the House to decide.

I think it will be a general election and Euro elections.
It’s the only thing (or a referendum) that the Eu will accept as a valid reason to extend

If we consider the idea Corbyn secretly wants Brexit then all he has to do is what he is good at.. ..et voila.

He can put across all of the things he knows she won't accept and then come out saying that's what he wanted and SHE wouldn't budge.

Yeah, it looks like Dunt is right on the money. It’s a trap. Question is, since the EU undoubtedly see that, will they force her hand? Or has their patience finally run out, no matter what Tusk says?

No reason given that would satisfy the EU, that I heard.

pretzels I have a base outline and then switch it up if I think the MP is more or less formal, labour/conservative etc.

But I should get the tea on now. More ranty 1am emails will be sent later

I agree with Ian Dunt, it’s a trap

Compromise is such an interesting word, isn't it?

To agree by making mutual concessions...
To accept lower standards than one would like...
To weaken, or harm, or bring into disrepute, often by reckless or foolish behaviour...

It depends! Will she legislate so we can take part in the EU elections.

And then if it passes before then we withdraw?

Although that would no doubt mean we would not agree / pass WA!

It is a total trap unless the UK legislates for the EP elections. Given the lack of trust, if I were the EU and I'm not , I wouldn't confirm the extension until the required legislation was on the statute book.

In which case, the parties also need to start campaigning for the EP elections , unless and until the WA is signed

The UK can't be trusted as in theory, it could choose to revoke right up to the end of any extension.

EU-So, you want another extension? What’s your really good reason?

TM-Jeremy Corbyn ate my homework.

Arghhhhh!

I think I want the EU to say no. We either leave on the 12th April or we take part in elections and stay for a good long time.

I can but dream.

I doubt Jeremy will bring much to the proceedings , he seems the ' my way or the highway' type with an axe to grind.
A lot like she is.
At least they might give it a go ( hopefully) but I can see it breaking down after an hour or so. I hope he takes Kier in with him as well.
He might have some nice tomatoes to go with the cheese and biscuits ( but only for him)
It's all a bit grim. Plus she can blame Labour for things going wrong : they like doing that.

I notice she wants to meet Corbyn who's a plank, not Starmer who could get her to confess to eating Shergar.

Benn on BBC News right now saying Labour’s policy remains a confirmatory referendum. Interviewer immediately says Labour would be to blame for a no deal then, if they don’t move. Smart, Theresa, very smart.

What the hell is the big deal with eu elections? What the fuck does it matter if we have to participate?

It gives us a say that can’t be dismissed as gaming or exaggeration. It’s also legally binding, unlike the referendum.
If we vote out every UKIP MEP and go for pro-Europeans, it makes it much harder to claim “The Will Of The People” is to leave the EU.

The two most stubborn, blinkered and pig-headed people in politics come together to try and sort out a plan for the future of the country, on a tight deadline, with absolutely everything at stake.

What could possibly go wrong?

No, the PM knows that Kier Starmer is clever and would be pragmatic.

Benn is not playing the blame game, but it’s too late, it’s already begun.

Oh losing optimism now reading the posts

I notice she wants to meet Corbyn who's a plank, not Starmer who could get her to confess to eating Shergar. Sheer bloody class line!

The two most stubborn, blinkered and pig-headed people in politics

This

Sigh.

So now I've got admiral ackbar in my head shouting "it's a trap!!"

Sigh.

The Guardian expects a response from Corbyn within 15 minutes or so.

She is refusing to budge one inch-just saying the same thing over and over again. No matter what Corbyn says-she’ll try to pin it on him.

Please don’t let this go down in the history books as anyone other than her (and of course Cameron’s) fault.

We also know the returning officers have been given the green light to order all the extra ballot papers and little stubby pencils they might need in the weeks to come.