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?

I was watching it live and I just kept wondering why do they still have this medieval voting thing in Westminster? All that pointless ritual. Shutting doors and walking out of the room and passing through a special doorway to vote. A grown up parliament like Hollyrood, with it's electronic voting system, would have had everyone home for their tea and a good night's kip.

Could be that TM compromises by adding CU and JC compromises by removing the need for a
PV. So both compromise their party's plans but not necessarily their own. Tories could survive a CU and Labour could survive without a PV.

Do you think Y Cooper could be leader?

They were not interested last time?

Good point sandman I am tired watching it

Well the Labour Party are going to have to decide if they want to govern or remain in opposition. Let’s say it’s another hung Parliament. Who are the Lib Dem’s, SNP, DUP going to get behind next time.

I see Yvette as a moderate which appeals to me. She is intelligent and a grafter.

The who voted where. 14 Tory Heroes. 6 Tory Abstainers. And the usual Labour/Ex-Labour suspects.

mobile.twitter.com/tnewtondunn

Another Yvette fan here Belinda. I’d vote Labour if she were leader - or Starmer.

At tonight’s special meeting of the Shadow Cabinet, Ian Lavery said “this party could be finished by a People’s Vote”

But... it's party policy as put forward at their conference. The vast majority of labour members and voters are remainers/ back a people's vote. What is Ian Lavery talking about?

If JC agreed to a customs union without a P.V and thus enabled a tory brexit to be steered into the future by whichever headbanger takes the reins next, I for one would never be voting labour again.

I really can't see how a P.V would split labour - other than Ian Lavery appears to not want one.

In my opinion Jeremy Corbyn is finished. Or rather Labour is finished (unelectable) if they insist on having him as leader.

The Labour Party can continue with Corbyn, McDonnell, Abbott at the helm or they can have Starmer, Cooper and Watson. Waiting in the wings is Jess Phillips, Hilary Benn, Angela Eagle, Margaret Beckett, Ben Bradshaw. Lots of talent and experience.

I think both Labour & Conservative could be finished. And wouldn't be surprised if Labour went first.

I think there's too much leftist/Momentum entryism for Cooper in the foreseeable. Can only see a moderate being elected leader if the Corbyn and friends project is seen to be proven to abjectly fail and that could take years. The current party leadership isn't interested in power in any kind of pragmatic way. They don't want to reach out across the political spectrum. They want people to come to them. They appeal to young and idealistic types. But there are plenty of older people who won't be interested in what they have to offer.

Yvette Cooper - bloody marvellous

Blimey! So...we can still no deal legally despite all of this though, right?

@TiP I think we are of similar minds - not sure if you saw my posts. It's not a popular opinion re ND.

My only other hope is the EU round up everyone involved in Leave who has dodgy dealings and ensures they have so many criminal records they can't live in another country and asset strip them. I fear that won't ever happen without huge changes in leadership (May blocking Banks' investigation). The earlier link about the tax evasion orders has me hopeful though! Here again is anyone missed it - thanks @littlespaces (?) for original posting.

Phew. Was just catching up on the thread before sleep and the bill has made it to the Lord's and I can sleep a little easier!

Re meds....it's not like we didn't try to tell them. Repeatedly. Months back there was stories of drs not prescribing meds DP is on to new patients and they are cheap as chips, no manufacture issues and readily available in the EU. Knew we were up shit creek without a paddle when they didnt release lists of drugs, stocks, plans. But maybe plans are unpatriotic?

I've read lightly into the American drug system and it's quite different from ours - the costs, the availability. America is ahead in some areas (medical cannabis for epilepsy can be a real life saver) but it's also lacking in others.

Anyway. May you all be sleeping peacefully at this time of night 💐

So if this motion becomes law, the EU can still refuse an extension and no deal can still happen, can someone clarify for me?

If it hadn’t passed would we not be asking for an extension and crashing out? Surely not?

The transcript of the petition debate is up and some good points. Far too long to read all, but what is the point of it if it stops there.

The extreme elements in Labour and Tories are ruining what could be good moderate parties with much better people leading

Middle of night musing

Yvette Coopers constituency was quite a strong leave constituency iirc. It worries me that she could be voted out if there's an election as she's been so vocal. What with that and the momentum deselections going down, who knows what will happen? I too think both main parties are due a split.

For those (like me) awake over an hour too early...here's another petition to sign. Why not!

This one is for a public inquiry into the ref. Might as well.

I assume there will be an inquiry one day anyway ( or a truth and reconciliation committee)!

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/250178

In the leader election that blessed us with Corbyn, Cooper came a distant third behind Corbyn and Burnham. If only she had won. I've always said if she'd been leader, I would vote Labour in a heartbeat.

I voted Cooper last timeround and would do so again.

Me too BestisWest. I have been tempted to resign, but keep my Labour membership going so I can vote next time.

Another Cooper fan here. I know the bill has some flaws, but it's got to help. I was particularly happy about the amendment that meant the government wouldn't need to go back to parliament to change the exit date again.

PARLY Retweeted

Maddy Thimont Jack
@ThimontJack
·
6h
MPs pass bill 313-312

Most interesting is this new govt clause added to bill so if this bill gets RA (if Lords pass it) govt will have successfully changed way parly approves change to date of Brexit in UK law - will no longer need to be a vote to approve it in both Houses..
Quote Tweet

Maddy Thimont Jack
@ThimontJack
· 10h
And the really interesting one (due to govt concerns about running out of time)👇
NC13 would make SIs changing date of exit day in the EU Withdrawal Act subject to negative rather than affirmative procedure

www.irishtimes.com/news/world/brexit/borderlands/we-cannot-go-back-to-a-hard-border-any-more-than-berlin-could-return-to-the-wall-1.3843094?fbclid=IwAR3C7Pn6vzsNCJtb9wLHHjj0howVSQrHhtdnsB96Cf4aFzZ4CdJbntlBKXw

Just thought I would post this well written piece about the Border, as a reminder of what is at stake in a corner of the UK if Parliament can't get its act together and won't see reason wrt NI

Our candidates have been posted up for the local council elections.

No details of them except name and party....I've never seen any details of what they stand for, what their focus will be for their coming term, what they offer, etc. Is that normal?

Perhaps I'm being impatient and it will come between now and 2nd May?

All figures I’ve said say 52% (60% max depending on source) of labour voters voted remain so hardly true that the ‘vast majority voted remain’

Given that the majority of seats in parliament are held from leave consituents I think regardless of your opinion on the regerendum, if we do not leave it’s a sad and worrying day. Half of parliament happy with no deal - doesn’t that say something? Perhaps those who have the facts are not as terrified as others make it out to be?

It’s hardly a day of celebration when so many politicians override the majority of their voters. Yvette copper will be voted out by next election. It’sqready the talk of her area

All figures I’ve said say 52% (60% max depending on source) of labour voters voted remain

Where did you get that from? Cos your figures are made up and you provide no sources.

The best estimates suggest that 65% of labour voters voted remain. And I'll give you a source for that!

yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2016/06/27/how-britain-voted