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Brexit

Westminstenders: The May Compromise

999 replies

RedToothBrush · 02/04/2019 19:20

After a marathon cabinet meeting, which no one seems to have resigned from, May has had another podium moment.

This time instead of blaming everyone but herself, she's gone for the 'let's compromise approach' to Corbyn.

This comes after Nick Boles crossed the floor saying his side wasn't prepared to compromise on anything after May secretly whipped on a 'free' vote against him.

May also said she we needed more of an extension to the 22nd May but without promise of EU elections this means No Deal inevitable if May can't pass the WA by then. Provided EU allow an extension until then without EU elections.

She also hinted at respecting a majority idea over indicative votes, if she and Corbyn fail to agree - remembering she tried successfully to sabotage that last night.

Already many are saying this is a trap to ensnare others into the mess that is Brexit in the blame game. With no deal ultimately the end goal.

The idea that May can find a compromise with Corbyn seems a fantasy.

And the EU might have every reason to refuse a longer extension under the circumstances.

For May to compromise she surely would have to break the Tories to do it as Labour will only go for a soft option which is unacceptable to the ERG. Unless her idea of compromise is simply its the WA or No deal which it seems hard to conceive Labour going near with the realistic prospect of the next PM being a hardliner.

All in all it seems more likely to be a framing exercise in damage limitation rather than something which has more substance and a realistic prospect of working. And if that's really the case, it certainly would explain why no one's resigned yet.

Indicative Votes 3 and a pretty dodgy Cooper Amendment designed to be a last ditch attempt to prevent no deal are both scheduled.

Its desparation stakes and the EU more or less have us down as a failed state. And the pro Brexit bombs don't really add much optimist to the mood.

OP posts:
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TiddleTaddleTat · 02/04/2019 22:15

Pmk

InterchangeableEmma · 02/04/2019 22:16

All this is just too sudden and too sensible for Brexit. I wonder if Brenda has had a very strong word indeed. Surely not. But, but...

The80sweregreat · 02/04/2019 22:21

May's compromise ' reaching out' has not gone down well on the daily mail comments page.
The word Traitor is used a lot.
A lot of Tory voters never voting for them again.. although this is worrying as they will vote UKIP or worse ( or Nigel's new party )
It's all very worrying. Another election now may not be a good idea either!

BigChocFrenzy · 02/04/2019 22:26

If the Tory vote splits off to UKIP & the Brexit Party,
FPTP could render the right politically powerless for many years

Holidayshopping · 02/04/2019 22:27

I wonder if this will backfire on her? She was hoping to pass the blame onto labour, but that won’t really matter if her own party implodes whilst she looks away.

woman19 · 02/04/2019 22:29

If the Tory vote splits off to UKIP & the Brexit Party, FPTP could render the right politically powerless for many years

That will do nicely, thank you BCF. Smile

@Stone_SkyNews
Sources in EU institutions v clear tonight that Brexit extension to May 22 (which was first offered at the last EU summit & is back in play if TM can convince EU that her new plan can deliver the deal) is ONLY an option if the UK commits to European Elections. /1

But still - against that, & despite real impatience / worry, there is still a desire by pretty much all EU leaders to avoid no deal at almost all costs
“EU prepared to go v v far to... find a solution but not so far as it infects our own institutions...” said one EU official /7

twitter.com/Stone_SkyNews/status/1113182802156154881

EweSurname · 02/04/2019 22:29

Mark Stone
@Stone_SkyNews
Sources in EU institutions v clear tonight that Brexit extension to May 22 (which was first offered at the last EU summit & is back in play if TM can convince EU that her new plan can deliver the deal) is ONLY an option if the UK commits to European Elections. /1

The reason for this is simple.

If her plan doesn’t work & deal not done by 22/5 then there is a legally unavoidable cliff-edge ‘no deal’ at midnight on 22nd.

Why? Because the UK can’t remain a member if it hasn’t taken part in European Parliament elections. /2

Deadline (domestically) to commit to EP elex is 12/4 hence the emergence of that date as current deadline

So I imagine if the cross-party deal hasn’t been done by Mon/Tue she’ll need to commit, protectively, to EP elex & pass legislation for it. /3

EU may insist she commits anyway just in case the deal hits the buffers in domestic ratification.

Then if there’s a miracle and the deal passes the commons and ratification by 22/5, the election commitment can fall away. /4

The vibe from conversations tonight is that the EU has lost any faith in the UK government or parliament to deliver on anything.

There’s huge scepticism that 22/5 is enough time to achieve a deliverable cross-party compromise. “I don’t believe in miracles” said one source. /5

EU diplomats, highly knowledgable of Westmister politics after all this time, also wonder how the Tory party will survive this new plan and question why Corbyn/Labour would save her now? What is in it for them? /6

But still - against that, & despite real impatience / worry, there is still a desire by pretty much all EU leaders to avoid no deal at almost all costs
“EU prepared to go v v far to... find a solution but not so far as it infects our own institutions...” said one EU official /7

As always though, @eucopresident Donald Tusk is the patient optimist tonight:

Donald Tusk
@eucopresident
Even if, after today, we don’t know what the end result will be, let us be patient. #Brexit

Ian Dunt
@IanDunt
More Ian Dunt Retweeted Mark Stone
Extremely positive. Suggests EU sees through May's trap and is having none of it.

Course, it's also possible this whole thing is just her attempt to get long extension by making EU force elections on her, and thereby try to avoid some of the flak.

The80sweregreat · 02/04/2019 22:30

Choc, are you saying that First past the post will make sure that UKIP / BNP/ new party etc won't get into power? If we had PR they could of course?
Bit confused there.

C8H10N4O2 · 02/04/2019 22:31

twitter.com/sbisson/status/1113137217096966145

Painfully close to my reaction

woman19 · 02/04/2019 22:31

Donald Tusk@eucopresident
Even if, after today, we don’t know what the end result will be, let us be patient. #Brexit

PickleSarnie · 02/04/2019 22:32

Pmk

woman19 · 02/04/2019 22:33

Bercow and Tusk are admirably Zen.

icannotremember · 02/04/2019 22:34

Leadsome is utterly dense. Why she is in cabinet when people like Clarke and Letwin are available is just crazy. And I don't even support most of what those MPs stand for, I just recognise that they're well informed, have a sense of responsibility to the country and are competent.

WorriedMutha · 02/04/2019 22:34

Curlywurly I lived in IDS's constituency 10 years ago. I once saw him at a fundraiser for the local hospice. It's interesting that he's testing the water on public opinion. It's a target seat for Labour. Chingford which is within his constituency has become quite gentrified and now poses a threat to him, and Woodford Green is choc full of city workers. Fingers crossed.

BlueEyeshadow · 02/04/2019 22:35

Way back up the thread, tobee said "I've never really been convinced Corbyn does want to be pm. Too much like work for a start."

Corbyn reminds me of Tom Lehrer's Song Army [[https://genius.com/Tom-lehrer-the-folk-song-army-lyrics]] -

"One type of song that has come into increasing prominence in recent months is the folk song of protest. You have to admire people who sing these songs. It takes a certain amount of courage to get up in a coffee house or a college auditorium and come out in favor of the things that everybody else in the audience is against, like peace and justice and brotherhood and so on.

But the nicest thing about a protest song is that it makes you feel so good."

He'd always rather be protesting about something where he can't actually help but which sounds good than doing something good that's actually within his power.

"We are the folk song army
Every one of us cares
We all hate poverty, war, and injustice
Unlike the rest of you squares

There are innocuous folk songs, yeah
But we regard 'em with scorn
The folks who sing 'em have no social conscience
Why, they don't even care if Jimmy Crack Corn"

BlueEyeshadow · 02/04/2019 22:35

Hmm, link buggered up there: genius.com/Tom-lehrer-the-folk-song-army-lyrics

tobee · 02/04/2019 22:37

Thank you for doing the link. Love Tom Lehrer

Wenttoseainasieve · 02/04/2019 22:38

I wonder what tomorrow will bring! Sweet dreams everyone..

Westminstenders: The May Compromise
woman19 · 02/04/2019 22:39

DUP are cross.

Westminstenders: The May Compromise
PinkieTuscadero · 02/04/2019 22:40

'DUP are cross'

Could be said at any time about any situation Grin

TheElementsSong · 02/04/2019 22:41

Catching up on the thread, gosh it moves fast! Thanks to the poster who admired ElementsCat Smile she’s a beautiful girl indeed and would make an excellent Prime Minister.

What was that Chat thread about Brexit? It’s been deleted!

The80sweregreat · 02/04/2019 22:41

The DUP never smile ever.

67chevvyimpala · 02/04/2019 22:41

Isn't that their party slogan??

67chevvyimpala · 02/04/2019 22:42

I reported it.
Trying to get people to give funds to a fascist group.
Ffs.

TheElementsSong · 02/04/2019 22:43

Nice one BlueEyeshadow can you tell I’m a big fan of Tom Lehrer? Grin