Westminstenders: The Bill Cash Appreciation Society

[RedToothBrush]

We've had a new thread pretty much everyday for the last week or so, so I'm short on inspiration.

There haven't been too many new developments today. There have been two ministerial resignations. Both were ministers close to Boris Johnson.

We had a vote to add an extension if we still have no deal agreed at the end of next week to the Withdrawal Bill. May has said she will do this anyway; this would merely tie her hands. It passed by 5 votes. It now is fast tracked to the committee stage and third reading.

A business of the house amendment by Benn to secure a debate and Indicative Vote 3 next week failed after a speakers vote. Bercow followed convention and didn't create a majority where there was not one (though under Erskine May he is free to do the opposite at his discretion).

Corbyn has met May for talks which have been described as construction, though we have no further details though curiously Emily Thornberry put out a statement demanding a ref on whatever was decided which suggests Corbyn isn't keen on the idea. Rumours are of Schrodingers Customs Union: somehow being in a union but not a union. It can't be called a customs union. And Liam Fox has said Corbyn can't have his union. Though he may have a vested interest as he loses his job if Corbyn gets his way.

Oh and the Commons photocopier broke so no one knows what is currently supposed to be happening.

Otherwise it's been a quiet day, all things considered. Too quiet?

tobee - it appears so.

I want the next amendment to be defeated.

Amendment 1 says PM may not agree to an extension longer than 22 May

Thanks horseshit (like your name )

woman A new PM can renege on any PD, because it is non-binding
and the EU would allow negotiations on any kind of future relationship, provided the backstop reverts to NI-only

However, if the UK reneges on the WA, that is an international treaty and the EU is a big gorilla compared to the UK

So they would take the UK to the International courts, stop any trade negotiations and possibly impose trade sanctions / punitive tariffs

That PM would be toast and the Uk would be thoroughly hammered into submission

The WA contains the terms the EU demands as a precondition to starting trade negotiations, regardless of whether this is within transition or after No Deal
It also contains the backstop which would be activated if negotiations end without a deal

The EU will not blink
The UK will be forced to give in, either before Brexit or during economic meltdown after No Deal

Thanks Little re parly Twitter

Yes! Government defeated.

Take that Nadine Dorries the Teller.

Hmmm. Anyone care to predict the result of amendment 1?

(just on amendment 1) Still more to go.

Thanks woman, I thought it was appropriate re Brexit and because I do talk shite sometimes

Hang on I thought Nadine Dorries was this one? 🤔🙃

@Susanh12
Crumbs - a government #brexit defeat by 180 votes. That's an absolute whopper. Was about the government being allowed to seek an extension in its own way.

How important are these votes?

Sorry I am a zombie and tired of someone can help at this late hour thenthat would be great

Belinda, do you sometimes blink?

Sorry couldn't resist...

Anyway carry on everyone.

I seriously should be doing something else. But I'm just getting so used to watching this. Keep thinking something definitive might occur. Talk about searching for rainbows 🌈 and unicorns 🦄

Well there's a possibility that HoC might actually vote for something rather than against it, so that's good.

It is really a bill to insist that TM does something she has already said she will. The fact it is even being put through is testament to how little trust MPs have for her promises.

I'm really confused. What is amendment 22? I know Steve Barclay tabled it but I'm not sure what it means

The EU will not blinkThe UK will be forced to give in, either before Brexit or during economic meltdown after No Deal

Good.

Both sides suspect May is working for the other

There is no evidence that she has always been plotting Revoke or No Deal,
just that she is inadequate to the task of clearing up Cameron's mess.

If she wants Revoke, she has to keep it quiet until No Deal is otherwise inevitable
If she wants No Deal, she could have said that openly several months ago and kept her party mostly intact

Instead, she's talking to the bogeyman Corbyn and her party is in meltdown with fury
I seriously hope her security has been tightened, because the anger towards Remain MPs is nothing like what she is facing

I had to google and I don’t know what to say.

Very belated thanks to red

Belinda, do you sometimes blink?

Are we on Dr Who references now?!

I wonder if Edd Balls is at home doing packed lunches ans laundry dreaming about what might have been.

Glad I'm not doing the Adjournment Debate tonight or any night

With a bit of a quickstep as his pants go in the dryer