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?

The truth is that Parliament is as split as the country is. Given that nearly 50% of the country voted Remain it's perfectly reasonable to come out with an arrangement that is not the hardest possible Brexit.

If no deal was a great idea why are so many against it in Parliament? It's been specifically voted on as an option more than once, and voted down with a huge majority more than once.

The level of concern we need to have doesn't need to be a deciphering of MPs behaviour. There is a Select Committee on leaving the EU which is broadcast live on BBC Parliament. Try watching it and decide for yourself.

I watched it yesterday....it was confirmed (by Steve Barclay, not a remainer) that if we leave with a no deal there will be no arrangement in place for 'data adequacy' and no ability for us to sell services in the EU.

This alone would be a disaster. Honestly the talk of queues for fresh food is a distraction - it's made the news because it's easy to understand.

The impact of not having data adequacy isn't an easy sell for the newspapers but has much more wide ranging consequences.

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.

Thanks for posting this Mship. I couldn’t follow the amendments properly last night (DH was at Brexit breaking point last night so we watched The Handmaid’s Tale instead. That’s how bad it’s got. He’s found something he finds more depressing and unnerving than The Handmaid’s Tale. Mind you, we had to follow it up with an episode of Derry Girls!). I’d missed this amendment and had been worrying we’d get into a situation where the EU might offer a last minute extension we wouldn’t have time to pass.

Even 65% not majority esp when the majority of labour constituents voted leave. That’s why JC Corbyn won’t have peoples vote - because he knows his voters will turn and also because he’s actually a Brexiteer and won’t risk the chance of staying

@Sunshine I don't think the MP's willing to have No Deal aren't also terrified of it. Some are receiving death threats, others think it will be the best way to get those held accountable arrested, others have simply had enough and there's a few less scrupulous reasons why the ERG would be more than happy to watch the plebs suffer. Like the ref you cannot be binary about why people have said they are willing to No Deal.

Not being scared of it is a minority sentiment from what I can see and coming from people who earn far above the average wage, is not something of a template for a normal reaction.

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

And yet...and yet...52% is apparently a vast enough majority to risk trashing our economy and our social stability by leaving the world's biggest trading bloc when it's related to those who voted to leave. No 'only' about it, apparently.

Stats, eh? Funny old things.

Morning all.

Also possibly overshadowed yesterday:

Ian Dunt
@IanDunt
May is assuring people that the government will lay an order for the European elections next week - and then hope they can cancel it later.
7:05 PM · Apr 3, 2019 · TweetDeck
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Ian Dunt
@IanDunt
·
12h
Replying to
@IanDunt
Together with Lidington letter to Electoral Commission on preparation and Juncker etc ruling out short extension, suggests a no-deal trap increasingly unlikely.

Ian Dunt
@IanDunt
·
12h
Really encouraging. Lost in febrile atmosphere around Labour talks, but probably the most important development of the last 24-hours

Even 65% not majority

65% "isn't a majority" of labour voters?

Jesus fucking christ, next you'll be voting to unilaterally rescind the laws of physics.

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

As a trades unionist Lavery knows that all proposals go back to the membership for confirmation vote.

I have voted for Cooper as well.

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

God I find this so depressing. I honestly don’t think Cooper is trying to stop Brexit. Yes, she’d like it not be happening but that’s not the same thing. She’s trying to prevent the worst possible version of Brexit. She’s trying to protect her constituents and the country is a whole. Which is what every single MP should be doing. Shame on those who aren’t doing this.

I despair of voters who would punish an MP for this.

Even 65% not majority
I think I need to go back to bed until the basic rules of statistics have reasserted themselves

Even 65% not majority

Oh well, in that case Leave definitely didn’t win the EU referendum.

The 14 conservatives who voted for it have all been senior ministers at one time, they’re like a mini cabinet of their own - with integrity.

We'll get an extension. Junker et al will do what Merkel tells them- thank God! She keeps Macron in line.

Even 65% not majority

Oh good grief. It's too early for this level of bollocks.

@Singing I've no idea why leavers think leaving with no plan is better personally. It defies all logic, and they MUST know it deep down? I think they are either impatient for unicorns or they think it will all just go away and people will forget sooner what an epic balls-up they have enabled.

Missed the list of 14 cons - could someone post? Worth keeping an eye on who is holding up the ever thinning line between Conservatism and Fascism! Back later.

Love the Led By Donkeys SOS projected on the White Cliffs of Dover. They are brilliant.

Haha @missclimpson that's brilliant

Me too Miss Climpson
They are.

@GPEOConnor
If the biggest and existential threat to your party is a plebiscite then there is something fundamentally broken about your party anyway. @UKLabour

I've no idea why leavers think leaving with no plan is better

Because they are some combination of stupid, uninformed, gullible, racist, or they expect to profit personally from a no deal situation. Many of them use social media sites where bad actors like Linton Crosby are spending a lot of money to manipulate public opinion. It is not probably not very difficult to manipulate the opinion of people who think 65% is a minority.

With the messages to Macron and Merkel included, it is hard to think of a more powerful image than that SOS.

Has the foundation of maths/statistics altered overnight and I wasn't aware??

Blimey.

Well, I m glad the cooper bill passed even if the basic laws of mathematics haven't survived the night.